Joint meeting of UISG and USG
The members of the Executive Board of International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and Union of Superiors General (USG) organized a joint in-person residential Assembly of male and female Superiors General in November 20 -24, 2023 at Casa Fraterna Domus, Spirituality House in Sacrofano, Rome.
The event marks the first joint meeting of the two unions. It was in response to the desire to continue to meet together as part of the Synodal process. Around 250 participants gathered from all over the world to reflect on the theme “Synodality: A Renewed Call to the Prophecy of hope.”
The significance of this meeting was to give new impetus to the synodal journey together, helping to imagine new possibilities, calling to live out our responsibilities, to continue the synodal path to deeper communion, to wider participation and to an ever more fruitful mission with all members of the Church. It also allowed the participants to know each other personally, pray together and open oneself to the grace of God to think together about how to best unite our energies and resources to serve the mission of Christ.
The conversation in spirit, led the language groups to have deep listening to arrive to a non-judgemental discernment on different matters. The time of sharing affirm the leaders towards hope and their commitment to the responsibilities they shoulder in their congregations.
For me personally this assembly was a school of learning. It was a spiritual journey rather than an administrative and planning forum. I realize that the essence of Consecrated Life lies in letting ourselves be loved. It is through silence, selflessness, and obedience to the Spirit that true hope is born. The testimonies which were shared by different leaders brought back my memories of hope within my congregation. I recalled the witness of our sisters in Ukraine and Congo. In the midst of war the commitment of our sisters to remain with the people and being part of their suffering was a great hope for me. It is this hope that transforms me into concrete steps to go forward believing that God is still with me, walking with me in all the challenges and can still surprise me. It is an invitation for me not to be fearful to take risk in my leadership because hope wishes to be born in the midst of challenges. By recognizing my own poverty and vulnerability, my heart desires God’s infinite love so that I become a sign of love to all whom I encounter in my daily life.
I was glad that I participated in this assembly, and it enriched me by many holy men and women religious through their life testimonies. May God continue to bless all the consecrated people on our journey to holiness and grant us graces to be true witness of joy in our mission.
Sr. Josephina D’ Souza, SAC
Superior General
Pallottine Missionary Sisters
Photos: UISG media and Sr. Josephina D’Souza
