Saturday – July 27, 2024

1. UNITED TO THE VINEYARD

The liturgy team, formed by Sisters Eliene da Conceição Lima and Denise Mezacasa, invited us to begin our day praying for fidelity to the Congregation’s Charism. In it manifests love for Christ to the world by welcoming, assisting and educating the poor, marginalized or children in dangerous condition and the youth, according to the demands and circumstances of the times and places, as per article 79 of the Constitutions.

The Mass was celebrated by Father Alfredo, our advisor to the General Chapter. In his homily, based on the Gospel of the day, he said: “It is not a question of being wheat or being weeds. But of letting the wheat grow more than the weeds, for we are all wheat and weeds.” The great challenge is to make the weeds diminish and the wheat grow. The prophet Jeremiah helps us cultivate the wheat, saying that we need to improve our behaviour. If we know how to cultivate the wheat, we will enter the house of the Lord together and carry out our mission, making the house of the Lord more lovable.

At 5:30 p.m., we celebrated other Mass for the soul of Sister Giulia. The surrounding communities joined us. Father Alfredo encouraged the sisters to share experiences they had spent with Sister Giulia. Those present, who expressed their gratitude and affection for our sister, shared beautiful testimonies.

After dinner, we met again in the Chapter Room to hear the opinion of the three examiners on the Economic and Asset Report, which was positive and included some recommendations.

2. STEPPING ON THE GRAPE

We began the Chapter session by reading several messages and then moved on to reading yesterday’s Minutes, which were read by Sister Luciane Francisco. The Minutes were approved unanimously, after minor corrections.

Following, Sister Maria José Barbosa dos Santos gave us the sad news of the death of our dear Sister Giulia Siboni. A few days ago, we went to visit her before the beginning of the Chapter, and even though her health was already fragile, she welcomed us with a beautiful smile. After praying Psalm 129 for her soul, we continued with our work.

The advisor, Father Alfredo, took the floor and began addressing the theme: EVANGELIZATION. He gave a retrospective of evangelization, highlighting the emergence of religious congregations, and pointing out the social context in which the Benedictine Sisters of Divine Providence were born. This congregation, like many others from the 19th century, is known in history as a social congregation. These institutions strengthened the Social Doctrine of the Church. He then gave a summary of Modernity, based on reason, science, technology, progress and democracy, which have had a great impact on human life. He then explained to us that from 1970 onwards a time of paradigmatic transition began, a time of irrationality and incredulity. Therefore, we are a generation in transition in which the young are the ones who suffer the most, in this so-called “liquid world”. The only solid point in this liquid society is Pope Francis, our Advisor states. This insecurity affects all institutions, there are no references and, therefore, each person becomes his or her own point of reference. This leads to self-referentialism and exacerbated individualism, from which Religious Life cannot be saved.

The paradigmatic transition has caused great fragmentation within the Catholic Church, and the same is happening in the Congregations, so a time of “re” (refoundation, recreation, restructuring…) is necessary. In the midst of darkness, the only Institution that shows its face or seeks the light is the Religious Life.

For Consecrated Religious Life, in order not to fall into abstractions, there are two sources: the Gospel and the Charism. It is necessary to return to the sources! This means returning to Jesus, who at the centre of his message was the Kingdom of God and the poor.

Returning to Jesus, for Consecrated Religious Life, means going to the School of Nazareth, to the Practices of Jesus, to the Pedagogy of Jesus. In other words, it is going to the frontiers, where no one wants to go; in the words of Pope Francis, “a Church that goes forth”.

At 1:30 p.m., with emotion and gratitude in our hearts, we received the body of Sister Giulia in the Chapel of the Sacred Family Institute and prayed the rosary together. In the evening, the Chapter members will take turns attending the wake.

At midnight, we continued with the theme presented by Father Alfredo, but this time doing group work, which was then shared in the Chapter Hall.

3. SPECIAL SESSION

Homage to Sister Julinha

Like a flame that goes out because it has already given all its light, without reservations, without denying anything or measuring how much it gives… Thus, this morning, the light of our dear Sister Julinha was extinguished on earth and lit up in heaven.

She left with a radiant smile on her face and the sweet “Santa Maria” on her lips; she left with her mission accomplished and leaves us the prophetic testimony of a life spent in generous service, through her welcoming heart, her assisting arms and her whole being that educated like a mother who educates her children.

She left to unite with Jesus, whom she loved deeply, and with the Foundresses, whose most faithful daughter she was. But she remains in our hearts and in our minds as an example that encourages us to continue our pilgrimage!

We will meet again, Sister Julinha! Go in peace! Your Chapter Sisters!

Nova Veneza / Brazil, July 27^th, 2024

Communications Team