Friday, August 2, 2024

1. UNITED TO THE VINEYARD

Nourishing our spiritual life, we begin the day in the presence of the Lord and in communion with the Church, the people of God, praying Lauds together with the Holy Mass, presided over by Father André Daló. Father André began by saying that he would use ecclesiology to reflect. He stated that we must remain faithful to the past and be responsible for new things, for the present, as well as open to the unusual.

We must be faithful to the Word, faithful to the Foundresses, faithful to the Charism, to the Ora et Labora that we carry behind our crucifix, faithful to what we live and understand.

He mentioned that the people who followed Jesus had their hearts closed to others and to the Holy Spirit.

Our responsibility as religious women of the 21^st century is to be open to the new, to listen to the novelty of the time and to bring what is ours to today, to a world that needs it so much, with so many girls lost in our time and in other realities.

How can we be open to the present time, so that our mission can continue to transform lives through WELCOME – ASSIST – EDUCATE, not just for 175 years, but also for endless centuries? He asked us.

2. STEPPING ON THE GRAPE

Following the day’s schedule, we met in the Chapter Room to choose the four General Councillors who will make up the General Government for the 2024-2030 six-year term. The following sisters were elected:

First Councillor and Vicar General – Sister Clara Rosa de Sousa Medeiros;

Second General Councillor – Sister Tereza Medves;

Third General Councillor – Sister Gleicy Kelly Rocha;

Fourth General Councillor – Sister Ana Maria Gomes da Costa.

After the elections and greetings to the newly elected members of the General Government, we sat down to listen to the reading of yesterday’s Minutes. The reading was done by Sister Maria das Dores Paz; after minor modifications, the Minutes were unanimously approved.

Continuing the work, the project to be implemented during the six-year term was presented, which may still be modified before the votes. This project is being created based on the work carried out in the three Committees.

Later, we dedicated ourselves to the debate on the Deliberations and Proposals for the XXVI General Chapter, which will be voted on in due course.

Nova Veneza, Brazil, August 02^nd, 2024.

Communications Team