Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament

Men Religious Superiors Meet / Letter of the Holy Father Leo XIV

Men Religious Superiors Meet in Phoenix, Arizona

Recap by John Thomas Lane SSS, Provincial Superior

The 70th annual meeting of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) was held in Phoenix, Arizona, July 20 – 23, 2026. The theme of the national assembly was “One in Christ: Communal Life Today.” There are 230 religious institutes of men in the United States, of which 159 are represented at this meeting. For the second time in CMSM’s history, 25 young religious joined a leadership training workshop. Then they participated in the assembly, adding a hope-filled dimension with their enthusiasm to serve the future of our religious communities. Next year, Father Joseph Kiet Nguyen SSS, applied and was accepted into this special cohort beginning in September 2026.

With the theme of community life, the presentations and homilies focused on particular aspects. For the first time, the newly appointed (March 7, 2026) apostolic nuncio of the United States, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, attended and brought a special written message from Pope Leo XIV, a former member of CMSM as a provincial of the Midwest Augustinians.

Photo right: Father John Thomas Lane SSS with Archbishop Gabriele Caccia

Letter of the Holy Father Leo XIV on the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of CMSM in the USA

To the Very Reverend Frank Donio SAC, Executive Director, CMSM (and fellow religious):
I was pleased to be informed that the Conference of Major Superiors of Men is celebrating its seventieth anniversary during the 2026 National Assembly, taking place in Phoenix, Arizona, and I send cordial good wishes to all taking part.

In reflecting on the theme for this year’s gathering, “One in Christ: Communal Life Today,” I would encourage you to consider community life “as a place of sanctification and a source of inspiration, witness and strength in your apostolate” (Address to Four Religious Institutes, 18 September 2025). Indeed, it is precisely through sharing everything in common, including material goods, spiritual experiences, apostolic ideals and charitable service, that the hidden presence of the risen Lord is made manifest among you (confer Saint John Paul II, Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Vita Consecrata 42).

Photo: Father Frank, Executive Director of CMSM

Articles continue – Read more in Grapevine 2026-19 pdf