The G50 is neither the latest solar-powered vehicle nor a summit of the 50 most powerful nations on earth. It is, rather, a gathering of 12 Consolata Missionaries called to Rome for a one-month permanent formation course (May 4 – 30, 2026). These are men who carry on their shoulders not only many years of life (75, 78, 80) but also a rich missionary experience, 50 years of priestly ordination or religious profession, as reflected in the acronym G50.
By Jaime C. Patias *
Much like the first 12 disciples, the missionaries were welcomed by the community of the Generalate. Natives of different countries, they bear witness to the Gospel across various nations in Africa, Latin America, and Europe.
The initiative is organized by the General Office for Formation and coordinated by the General Councillor, Father Mathews Odhiambo Owuor, together with Fathers Antonio Rovelli and Ernesto Viscardi. Each week focuses on a specific theme: the Word of God and Consecrated Life, the seasons of life, mission today, and an informational dialogue with the General council. The methodology includes sessions led by experts, personal reflection, group sharing, retreat, meditation, prayer, and celebration.
The group will also visit places linked to the history of the institute, in Turin and Castelnuovo Don Bosco as part of the centenary of the death of the Founder, Saint Joseph Allamano.
The purpose of the course is: “To promote the renewal of the missionaries by providing them with elements of knowledge, human-spiritual-pastoral and experiential growth, so that they may better live their religious vocation and improve their capacity for discernment, developing specific competencies in their senior years to serve adequately in accordance with the style and charism of the Institute.”
The “Theology of Rest”
The opening Mass on Monday, May 4, was presided over by Father Mathews Odhiambo. Addressing his elder brothers, he recalled the importance of the “theology of rest” as understood by the Founder. “The Institute considers the formation of its candidates and members to be an activity of the highest importance. It is an indispensable journey leading to maturity and vocational fullness in consecration as Consolata Missionaries, but, ‘first saints, then missionaries!'” In this sense, “rest is seen as a means of serving God better, not as an escape from one’s commitments. In short, for Saint Joseph Allamano, mission requires a dynamic balance: the missionary must work with dedication, but also know when to stop to rest the body and nourish the spirit.”
For a missionary, “after fifty years of sowing, rest is an act of faith: it means entrusting the field to the true Lord of the harvest, recognizing that the mission is His work, not ours. To pause today, after fifty years of faithfulness, is to honor both body and spirit. It is in the silence of the pause that Consolation – the founding charism of the Institute – ceases to be merely a message proclaimed to others and becomes a personally lived experience,” Father Mathews reflected.
In this Year of Community Life, “your pause becomes a shared experience to rekindle the flame of consecration. This is not a time for nostalgia, but for rediscovering the beauty of elderhood: a season in which wisdom becomes the most precious gift for younger confreres and for the Church as a whole.” He concluded by wishing that “this jubilee pause be a time for renewal in body and spirit, to continue being – in rest as in service – authentic channels of consolation.”
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony began near the gate of the Generalate, guided by a series of symbols. On the ground lay a rope – many threads woven together – as a sign of communion: a reminder of the importance of formation in fraternity and mission. The G50 group gathered before a small altar bearing the Word of God and images of Our Lady Consolata and Saint Joseph Allamano. “Let us pick up this rope from the ground and hold it together: let us form a semicircle before the Paschal Candle, the light of Christ that illuminates mission in the world,” invited Father Antonio Rovelli.
In procession, led by the Paschal Candle and carrying a panel with photos of the participants, the Word of God, and images of Our Lady Consolata and Saint Joseph Allamano, the missionaries walked and sang their way to the Hall of Columns — the place of encounter. An invocation of the Holy Spirit followed, and each missionary lit a candle from the Centenary Torch, a symbol of the light of the charism left by Saint Joseph Allamano that continues to guide the Institute’s history.
Each missionary then had the opportunity to introduce himself. There was an initial sharing of life and mission stories – marked by successes, joys, and hardships – as is characteristic of discipleship in mission ad gentes.
The Superior and Econome of the house, Fathers Osvaldo Coppola and Gabriele Casadei, welcomed their brothers and presented the dynamics of house life.
In the afternoon, Father Antonio Rovelli outlined the course program in detail. The missionaries were introduced to the next day’s theme – “The Word as a Guide in Consecrated Life” – a retreat led by Father Fabio Ciardi, OMI. These will be days of abundant grace and blessing.
* Father Jaime C. Patias, IMC, Office for Communication.
