From December 28 to January 7, the Sisters of Brazil gathered as a country in the city of Maringá for a time of encounter, discernment and fraternal communion.
We had the grace to count with the presence of the Srs. Maria Teresa Cuervo and Maggie D’CostaThe General Team members, who were visiting the country’s communities, also participated. Also participating were the Sr. Marita Garcés and Mitsue Shirahama, from the Provincial Team, and Mitsue Shirahama, passing through Brazil.
We began the assembly with the words of welcome and welcome from the Sr. Clara SchlickmannThe delegate of the country, who stressed that the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Vedruna Charism is a historic and profoundly significant moment for the Congregation. She invited us to deepen together the motto of the Bicentennial, Generous Love, inspiring mission, evoking phrases of St. Joaquina de Vedruna and reminding us that she is our elder sister, who encourages us to walk faithfully in the following of Jesus, from our charismatic gift. In a close and symbolic way, she was calling us by name and sharing its meaning.
Each day was marked by a deep spirituality, the celebration of the Eucharist and the renewal of our missionary commitment. With a grateful heart for the year that was ending, we listened to the memory of each community, sharing challenges, joys and the generous dedication of each sister in the mission entrusted to her.
We addressed issues of our journey as a country: economy, national, provincial and congregational context, Colegio Santa Cruz, the Vedruna Center, the Vedruna Youth Mission and Vocational Culture. We also lived moments of discernment and decision making in common.
Sisters Maria Teresa and Maggie accompanied us in the formative space on synodality and shared leadership, centered on the Charism, on the ecclesial reality and on the close presence with the people.
It was also a propitious occasion to celebrate anniversaries of religious life: the golden jubilee of the Sr. Isabel Hintemannthe silver jubilee of the Sr. Marilene Aparecida dos Reis and the birthday of the Sr. Margarida Isabel Franz.
At the conclusion of the assembly, we began the Spiritual Exercises, accompanied by the Sr. Maria Ines Vieiraunder the theme Consecrated Religious Life, Sentinels of Hope, Called to Transformation.
Sr. Maria do Socorro Vieira, ccv
