Nova Veneza woke up colder and with rain. However, we warmed our hearts early on with the day’s liturgy, which celebrates the three brothers: Martha, Mary and Lazarus. As we saw yesterday, they represent the Community of Jesus, the place where the Lord experiences family environment. Jesus left the path (mission) and answered the call of Martha (home/table), who, faced with the death of her brother, had the opportunity to experience life in abundance. Father Alfredo told us that in the Gospel there are three figures that represent the three steps seen: Jesus walked the path and created spaces of trust. The house of Lazarus, Mary and Martha was one of them. In this environment of home, of house, of family, Jesus finds strength for his mission. In the Word of God, we find several episodes in which two people appear. They are the two dimensions of each one of us. Sometimes we are the older son, other times we are the prodigal son, the younger; sometimes we are the tax collector, and other times we are the sinner. This is how religious life is: sometimes we are more prophetic, sometimes less prophetic; sometimes stronger, sometimes weaker. We have this dichotomy within us. And, like Martha and Mary, we are women of contemplation and service. This does not mean that one side excludes the other, but that both complement each other.
Returning to the chapter hall in the afternoon, the proceedings resumed with a spontaneous prayer made by some sisters who were invited to be in the centre of the hall, raising a prayer for the reality in which they are inserted. We prayed, in particular, for the General, Provincial and Local Government, for the formators and those in formation, for the elderly sisters and the elderly who are cared by the sisters, for the children we welcome, for our missions and for the pastoral work. We ask the Provident Father that, in all these areas, the Kingdom may be constantly sown by the presence of the Benedictine Sisters of Divine Providence.
We began today’s session in the Chapter Hall with the reading of yesterday’s minutes, prepared by Sister Luciane Francisco, which, after minor corrections, it were unanimously approved. Father Alfredo began the third day of the lecture with a presentation on the topic “Institution”. As on previous days, he contextualized the subject in today’s world, stating that 50% of capital is in the hands of 1% of the population. The big problem is that, in today’s times, prophetic voices have diminished, because the form of prophecy is now institutionalized. A prophecy that is transmitted through books and guidelines that no one reads, not even those who should be most interested. This prophecy has ceased to be voices that took to the streets, which were inserted in the slums, in the homes of the poor, and has become only written. In this way, institutionalized prophecy is ineffective. The advisor said: “Prophecy does not come from above; prophecy comes from the ground, in the reality of life.”
The Institution goes through four stages: 1. Popular movement (free and spontaneous): Thus, the Congregation is born from the intuition of the Founder. 2. Charism: Special gift, focus or definition. 3. Crystallization – bureaucracy: The movement and charisma gain employees; this is where faith becomes religion. 4. Prophecy: In the face of the distance from the origins, prophecy is born. This is the normal cycle of every Institution, assures our Advisor.
In view of this reality, we were challenged to find a way to take the Charism of the Congregation to the pathway, where Jesus is with the most vulnerable. As religious, it is necessary to keep in mind the God Yahweh, who sees, hears, descends and sends, according to Exodus 3, 7-10.
As on other days, in the afternoon we dedicate ourselves to deepening the content in the group work, which greatly helps us to understand the path that the Congregation is taking. The conclusions were then shared in the Chapter Room.
Nova Veneza / Brazil, July 29th, 2024
Communications Team