Choose your language:
Choose your language:
11.25.2021
"EVERYTHING IS INTERCONNECTED"
We had three special moments today. In the morning, we celebrated the beautiful opening Ritual of the 30th general chapter which made a link to the past, present, and the future. We saw the faces of yesterday, today in the hope of tomorrow.
The chapel was decorated with circles, colours and faces resembling the logo. Immersed in the Spirit we listened to the Gospel extract, maxims and a paragraph from the constitutions. Thereafter, we connected ourselves to others by tying coloured ribbons which made one big circle joining everyone in the circle. We did this with a dance. We came out of the chapel dancing, connected by the ribbons, symbolizing that we need to be women of communion and be joyful missionaries. "Everything is interconnected, as if we were one. Everything is interconnected in this common house" was the refrain that we sang several times during the prayer.
DREAM BIG, CHANGE, COMMIT OURSELVES
The second powerful moment, was the opening address of our Superior General, Sr. Sally Hodgdon. She reminded us that the Covid-19 pandemic changed us because it affected us personally, but there are other pandemics in the world - of hunger, homelessness, violence, forced migration, and climate change which affect us less. We must learn about the other types of Pandemics in order to get more involved like the Good Samaritan who helped the wounded and abandoned man.
Sr. Sally asked “will we choose to dream big, change our priorities and engage ourselves more fully with those affected by other types of pandemics, or will we follow the same path as the priest and the Levite in the parable of the Good Samaritan. It is up to us to make the choice, both as individuals, as a community, and as a congregational body." Today is the time to put our dreams together. The General Chapter is a process of co-creating our future and this is the reason we are gathered in Nemi-Rome. Sr. Sally continued her talk by asking "can we help ourselves to make the good choice that reflects our true vocation, the choice that consists in living the charism, in being women of the Gospel, and in committing ourselves fully?"
THE DREAMS WE CARRY INSIDE US
Sr. Sally told a very evocative story about two trees. One tree younger than the other, but both of them with weaknesses. Their weaknesses did not allow either tree to look to the future with hope. The older tree sheltered a fox in its hole and was worried about its host and wondered whether the fox would find a new home? This thought led the tree to dialogue with the nearest tree and share her concern with the other tree, even though the neighbouring tree was younger and unable to host the fox.
After their dialogue, they decided to leave their place and come closer together, so that they could intertwine with their roots and become stronger even though they would lose something of themselves. During this chapter, "If you listen, you will hear the secret of the trees in the silent forest: bending can make you live forever and your weakest places can be someone else's home," Sister Sally concluded.
UNDERSTAND AND INITIATE "NEW AND CREATIVE WAYS
Thereafter we voted on the procedures of the Chapter. Maria Murcia invited us to pick a symbol for one self and share about one self, and the dreams we carry within us through the symbol. Petals, plants, bible, broken bread, roots and more symbolize the charism of communion in the world and its relevance.
Among the symbols light, lamp, matches, pencil, pen and more wanted to manifest our consecrated religious life, an instrument in God's hands to be a sign of his presence. Shoes, seeds, water, rubber band, eye drops, backpack indicate the need to move forward with flexibility in our decision making to the new that arises and challenges us.
"Life evolves very quickly and we must be attentive and flexible, adapting to the call to lay down roots in an unknown land." As Sr. Sally invited us, we hope to understand and undertake "new and creative ways to lead the Congregation" together with renewed fervour and apostolic zeal in the coming years.
Rosalba Scaturro, Italy
See more: GENERAL CHAPTER IN NEMI / ITALIA - ABOUT TO BEGIN - 11/23/21
Queridas Irmãs, estamos em sintonia de coração. Acompanhamos esta jornada capitular com preces e em comunhão e unidade.
Aquece o coração em acompanhar cada passo desse acontecimento Congregacional! Unidade queridas irmãs!
Muita Gratidao pelo caminho feito ate aqui. O Espirito as conduza na sabedoria de bem com OUVIR E ESCUTAR OS CLAMORES DA CONGREGACAO E DO POVO.Preces e abracos a todas.
Que a luz do ES, sempre as conduza para os desafios gritantes do momento. Excelente encontro a todas Capitulares.
Vivemos intensamente este momento de abertura do capítulo. Imploramos a presença de sopro Divino para que continue fazendo do caminho.
Queridas hermanas capitular. Estamos como comunidad en plena comunión con ustedes.Urge tener mucha atención y sensibilidad espiritual y humanitaria para direcionar nuestra fuerza Carismático al mundo invisibilidado de los descartados . Sigamos confiante!
Vivemos intensamente o momento orante .
Em unidade, com muita F� e Esperan�a, oramos que o Divino Esp�rito Santo as ilumine.
Queridas Irmãs capitulares, unidas no mesmo Espirito
Very inspiring opening speech of Sr. Sally. Pray that our big dreams make a big transforming spirit in us.
Meu coração dá saltos de alegria ao ver as fotos de cada uma das irmãs presentes no Capítulo. Sinto-me como se estivesse aí com todas. Que nosso Carisma continue nos fazendo cada vez mais próximas. Contem com nossas orações. Pela Comunidade São José de São Paulo. Ir Adriana
Gratidão ao Espírito Santo, que está confundindo o Capítulo Geral com muita sabedoria. Gratidão a cada Irmã, por deixar conduzida e estar atentas para ouvir o grito do povo, que muitas vezes está na surdina. Gratidão por reacender o nosso compromisso com o "Sonho do Padre Medaille".
Participando em comunhão com vocês e gratas por podermos acompanhar.nhsr
Estou feliz porpoder acompanhar este Capitulo.Gersl. que a Trindade Santa.as.ilumine a todas..boa.noite.
