Wednesday – July 24, 2024

1. UNITED TO THE VINEYARD

In the morning prayer, the Sisters in charge of the liturgy motivated us to be united, today, with our Blood Family and our Religious Family, remembering our Families with a prayerful attitude, the image of the Holy Family was introduced into the Chapel.

Afterwards, the Eucharist was celebrated, the president of the Holy Mass, Father Gilson, the local parish priest spoke to us with the following words: we are called to sow, but whether the mission to which we are called will work out or not, does not depend on us. The important thing is to do what we are called to do. Just like in the Gospel, where the sower sowed in several places: some seeds grew and others did not. We carry out our mission, sowing and seeking to do God’s will. Whether it works or not, let us trust in the Providence.

2. STEPPING ON THE GRAPE

The chapter work began with the presentation of the first Commission, which worked on the following theme: The Benedictine Sister of Divine Providence, disciple and witness of Christ. Evangelization; with the following subthemes: CENTRALITY OF CHRIST, REMAIN IN MY LOVE, TESTIMONY OF THE FOUNDRESSES, EVANGELIZATION, and SPIRITUALITY AND CHALLENGES OF CONSECRATED RELIGIOUS LIFE IN OUR ACTUALITY.

The Sisters of the Commission explained to us the presentation method, carried out through a dynamic where each chapter member was directed to a group, divided by different colours, to share and reflect on the topic presented. A very touching moment, which helped us to be in a prayerful disposition, was the procession that enthroned the Cross of Christ in the Chapter Room, the lamp that represents fidelity and, subsequently, the first degree relic of our founder, Mother Mary Schiapparoli. This moment led us to relive the deep faith and experience of God of our Foundresses, who, to obtain graces, carried out processions with the Cross with the welcomed girls while they prayed. They said that Mother Giustina herself carried the Cross and the children followed her in procession.

Sr. Joceli Ferreira Mendes presented the first part of the topic and, at the end; we went to small groups to reflect on the topic presented. In the group, each Sister shared three points that were most important and then there was a moment of silence for internalization. Three most outstanding points were chosen to later be presented in the plenary.

After the lunch, we returned to the Chapter Room, where Sr. Maria das Dores Paz read yesterday’s minutes, which, after small corrections, were approved.

Then, Sr. Donata Montagnoli continued with the presentation of the first Commission. She spoke about the Testimony of the Foundresses, highlighting three points: the Centrality of Christ, the Unshakable Trust in Divine Providence, the intense spiritual life and Care for others.

Again, at the end of the presentation, we went into small groups to reflect on the topic presented. Each Sister shared the three points that she considered most important. This group sharing was repeated after each presentation.

Sr. Janaína Clara Nazario continued speaking about our Spirituality, highlighting points of light, points of shadow and the challenges we face, such as: the desire to faithfully live the life of prayer, the superficiality of the spiritual life and the need to cultivate the inner life amidst the demands of the mission.

After coffee break, it was time for Sr. Gleicy Kelly Rocha, who spoke about Evangelization as “transmission of life experience”. She highlighted some articles of our Constitutions (Art. 57, 61, 77), where we find some ways to live this life experience as BSDP Sisters.

Commission 1 continued its presentation with the intervention of Sr. Tereza Medves. She spoke about the need to strengthen our consecrated life based on the indications of our Constitutions. She also emphasized the importance of stopping relativizing the essential things in our lives and, finally, moving forward in resuming the experience of our identity.

Sr. Elizabeth Noemi Cuenca Giménez spoke about the challenges of contemporary Religious Life. She invited us to seek a quality life and to pay close attention to the Media. She said that discernment is necessary in the face of individualism and attachments to the media.

Finally, Sr. Emily Zawadi Odhiambo, continuing on the theme of challenges, spoke about isolation, the lack of vocations and the decrease in the Sisters’ physical strength. However, she called us to strengthen the experience of our religious vows to witness the authentic following of Christ.

Nova Veneza, Brazil, July 24^st, 2024

Communication Team