12th National Meeting of the Sisters of St. Joseph

We, the Sisters of Saint Joseph, Associates, and lay people gathered in Hidrolândia, Goiás, Brazil, for the 12^th National Meeting of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, from April 21 to 24, 2024.

On Sunday 21^st, there was a round table discussion among the Sisters, associates, and laypeople, a total of 70 people. From April 22 to 24, there were 37 people for this meeting, namely 27 Sisters of St. Joseph and 10 lay people and associates.

Sr. Sueli Bellato, of the Congregation of Notre Dame, was our resource person. Under her guidance, we followed the methodology of the Synod in the light of the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti, chapter 3.

On the 22nd, we developed a grateful memory like “Train”. We remembered with grateful heart the history of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Brazil, from its origins. On the third day, we worked on missionary activity and, within this, the changes that have taken place since the last meeting in 2016; the actions that have been carried out; and what we want to give in response to these challenges presented by the realities. In the evening, we had a time of socializing and recreation and went to bed with grateful, joyful, and hopeful hearts.

On the fourth and final day, we saw the dreams we have and the importance of continuing these national meetings.  We emphasized the importance of coming together as congregations and associates and helping each other. Concrete suggestions for action were put forward. We agreed to continue the meetings.

We realized that little by little, we were entering into the process of listening to and welcoming each other and starting to think about ways of generating an open world, and helping each other as the Saint Joseph Family.

Sr. Vera Lúcia dos Santos