Ten days have passed since we began our Extended General Council in Vic, with the presence of the General Government Team and the Provincial and Delegation Teams in Vic .
Working days
These days were divided into working sessions, from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., in which various teams and individuals presented a variety of topics to the assembly.
During the first days, the Provincial and Delegation Teams, as well as the General Secretariat and the General Team, shared on the shoots of hope that have emerged since the XXVIII General Chapter, and what the pruning processes have revealed.
All the teams also made a shared reflection on the Healing Mission in each of the Provinces and Delegation. Then, several sessions on economy and administration preceded the first group work and plenary session. From Friday, March 13, the various international and interprovincial work commissions presented the progress they have made in their respective areas:
- General Communication
- Youth Vocational Ministry and Mission
- International volunteering
- Education
- Charismatic Family
- Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation
- General Bicentennial
- Manso Space
- Structures
Saturday was dedicated to formation, with prayer, presentations, group work and a plenary session. Sunday, on the other hand, was left for free time.
During the second week, presentations continued to be given, along with more group reflections and personal reflection.
Special moments
Some highlights have been the illuminations given by Mariola López, RSCJ, and Liliana Franco, ODN. Both sessions were open to the public, and the recordings are now available on our YouTube channel.
The outings included in the program were also very special: on Tuesday, the 17th, we were able to visit the Casa Manso, which is now in the final stages of its restoration process. For many of the participants, this was the first time they had seen it after the inauguration, so the visual presentation of the new tour given by Sister María José prior to the visit was very enlightening.
Also, during the morning of Wednesday 18 we made a charismatic visit to Vic, touring the emblematic places of our history: the hospital of Santa Creu, the Church of the Divina Pastora, the Casa de Misericordia, the house of Charity and convent of San Domènec, the Episcopal Palace… Under a bright sky, we enjoyed very much to approach these corners of the city that keep fragments of our history. This pilgrimage culminated with a prayer in the bishop’s chapel where Joaquina made her vows in 1825. In this place, all together we renewed our commitment as Vedruna sisters, after sharing with each other what that moment meant.
Another significant moment was thearrival of the sisters from India, who were able to join in person on the 13th. Due to the current situation in the Middle East, they had not been able to travel in time, and the previous days they participated only online. We were all sincerely happy to have them among us at last.
First intuitions of the EGC
At the conclusion of the EGC, a letter will be shared with the communities with the conclusions that emerged from its development. All this effort helps us to configure ourselves as an Extended Charismatic Family committed to mission.
For the time being, some intuitions resulting from the shared reflection are as follows:
- Esperanza
- Multiculturalism
- Advances in a shared and synodal style of leadership
- Sustainability
- Evangelical minority
What we have left to live
The next few days, between today, Friday, March 20, and Monday, March 23, the closing of this Extended General Council, will be dedicated to a prayer for World Peace, and to finalize the projections and the communication that will be made about this meeting.
In addition, on Saturday, March 21, we will enjoy the oratorio “Joaquina de Vedruna. Luz de caridad”, composed by Luigi Pastoressa and Sister Maria Dolores Aguirre: a musical work around the life of St. Joaquina de Vedruna, which will be performed in the Church of the Motherhouse. It will be recorded and shared afterwards.
Monday, March 23, will be dedicated to putting the final touches to the meeting, finalizing the calendar for the next three years, approving the plenary text and carrying out the evaluation. The closing ceremony will be a Eucharist at the Casa Manso.
