Last May 3-6, 2025 the Sisters of the Philippine Delegation gathered together for our Annual Assembly. We are filled with gratitude and joy to gather together as one Vedruna Family with the presence of one of our General Team Councillor, Sr. Maria Irizar. It was a moment of dialogue, listening and encounter- sharing together the life and the mission of the Sisters throughout the year and the present reality of the Delegation. Filled with enthusiasm and hope for a brighter future, we were able to name some points we need to work on and to discern on.
During the Assembly, we have been enriched with different themed conferences: Doc. Maritess Dionson talked about “Holistic Health and Graceful Aging”, telling us that sleep is repair, to avoid stress as much as possible, and that laughter is the best medicine.
In “Synodality and Shared Leadership”, Sr. Maria Irizar quoted many ideas from the Additions, our Chapter Documents To Be Born Again, from Nonell II, from the Letters of St. Joaquina, from Sanz y Fores & texts from the Gospels. She said that Being Born Anew reminds us of what synodality and shared leadership mean.
“Accompanying the Youth Today”, by Sr. Maria Socorro Evidente, DC, had a very substantial input which is essential in our life as consecrated persons, and at the same time the call to respond to the signs of the time, especially in our mission with regards to walking with the Youth. We were reminded once again by Pope Francis’ encyclical “ Christus Vivit” to reflect Jesus to the Youth by our way of life, to have a listening heart to them, to be Young at heart always, and go extra mile if necessary- live our comfort zones, welcome them – let us open our doors for them.
We were challenged as well to take care of ourselves, because sickness comes any moment and not only in age. Called to develop a healthy lifestyle so that we can be more available and productive in our community life and ministry. To live and practice synodality in the community and mission. To have a change of heart to be able to live this synodality, to be born again and we are able to achieve this by our own willingness to change and that through our daily encounter with the Lord. Sr. Maria posted questions to ask ourselves and reflect where we are in the present reality of living the synodality.
On the last day of our Assembly, we were called to a deeper reflection of our presence and reality. Sr. Maria helped us in the process of making decisions for our Delegation. It was a day of prayer and discernment for the common good. Each Sister expressed their feelings and thoughts and everyone was heard and counted.
We ended our Assembly with unified principles to concretize them in our day-to-day life, while continuing the discernment of how we will be able to sustain our life and our mission as a Delegation.
Sr. Brenda M. Grapinag, ccv, & Sr. Marilou M. Manicad, ccv
