Fr. Jacob Nampudakam encouraged us in his homily to follow the example of Holy Mary, who we celebrate on her feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel today.
Afterwards we gathered to continue our travel around the world with the reports of the superiors of the remaining three entities.
To prepare ourselves we prayed the Synod Prayer in different languages. We rely on the Holy Spirit that he helps us to discern the will of God for our congregation.
Then Sr Marie Claire Mukeshimana gave the report of the Formation Commission and on the International Novitiate. We could not invest enough heart and zeal in formation. After the initial steps leading to final profession it is necessary to present programs for ongoing formation. As religious we have to recalibrate our inner core. Only if we stay routed in God we can bear fruit and be joyful and authentic witnesses. So the topic of a lifelong formation based on our Pallottine charism is of high importance.
The International Novitiate illustrates the growth of our congregation in the African continent. Another growing entity is India. We invite all sisters worldwide to support our candidates, postulants, novices and junior sisters in prayer.
Come and see – the invitation of Jesus is still valid today. The sisters of the Procura take up the important apostolate of hospitality. Sr Magdalena Pinto emphasized in her report that the Procura community welcomes guests and pilgrims who visit Rome. Also several families who accompany children who are treated in the hospital Bambino Gesu find loving support during a very difficult time of their lives. So there is no wonder that many guests come to our Procura Generale through personal recommendations or through positive reviews on the internet.
The commission reports continued. Founded to be missionaries our call is now as it was then: Go to where you are needed.
And in the footsteps of St Vincent Pallotti greater goods can be done if we put all means together and collaborate with benefactors. We are grateful for all individual or institutional donors who support various projects so that we may help the needs of the poor and neglected, as Sr. Malgorzata Wyrodek elaborated as head of the Mission Commission.
Sr Iwona Nadziejko, the appointed leader of the OWL commission, summarized the extensive workload that was done.
Finally Sr Alda Paes informed all participants on the actual status of our safeguarding policy. In this commission also one lay person is involved and his contribution is highly appreciated.
At the end of a rich day Sr Josephina D’Souza reminded us that Wednesday will be dedicated to work in smaller groups in synodal way. May the Holy Spirit guide us – in him we trust.
Text: Sr. Astrid Meinert, SAC
Photos: Sr. Adelheid Scheloske, SAC (3), Sr. Josephina D’Souza, SAC (1), Sr. Astrid Meinert, SAC (2)
