After a long journey, Sisters Sally Hodgdon and Ieda Tomazini stepped on holy ground for the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Handan. At the airport, a Sister and a Christian lay woman were waiting for us, happy, but also apprehensive, because troubles on the highway were generating a bit of insecurity.
This is one of the most critical moments for the Church and unofficial religious life in China. Therefore each year, for security reasons, and relying on the generosity of Christian families, the Sisters find different spaces and places to hold their annual meetings and elections. The house we are this year is large and spacious, but externally, its appearance does not elicit the attention of passers-by. The creativity and boldness of the Sisters in providing places to meet as a group and to "hide" are noteworthy, because if we were seen, we would be taking risks and also put this congregation at risk. So we collaborate in all ways for discretion and do not leave the delimited space during our stay close to them.
There are 34 Sisters, (five of them have temporary vows) participating in the General Chapter, and some are of temporary vows. Also present are a translator, a priest who represents the Bishop, and a facilitator. All belong to the "silent" Church, using the term that the Sisters use to mean the unofficial Church.
The days are intense with very interesting reflections. The big concern is how to express the charism, “to quench the thirst of Christ on the cross", in the context of so many inconsistencies and persecutions. Many suggestions for new activities and the organizing of small communities were brought forth by the Sisters. Most see this time as a rich opportunity to review the choices of the Congregation and to focus on the future and the possibilities instead of the difficulties.
The intense heat and pollution do not seem to bother or affect the internal environment of openness, sharing, joy and involvement. Sally and I follow their journey with respect and admiration, and we realize how much "our" Sisters have grown since we started walking together. They are very unique in the way they express and organize themselves.
Sister Ieda Tomazini
