Post-Chapter Refection…

From the Chapter Resolutions…

The celebration of the XV General Chapter has been preceded by a long phase of listening. The individual contributions and feedback from the communities, the provinces, the lay collaborators, the Canossian Fathers and the deepening on the theme from various sectors, have been of great help in the phases of our reality check and discernment. Confronting them with the Gospel values and our Charismatic gift, we have tried to read and understand the signs of the times. A comprehensive summary of the preliminary work found its rightful place in the working paper of the XV General Chapter.  It has made us also vitally aware of the inter-nationality of our Congregation, the attention it demands, the possibilities it   offers and the value of unity in  diversity.

The theme of the Chapter “For the sake of Christ, with St. Magdalene – The Life of Consecration: the Vows Today”, necessarily brought us face to face with the Mission of Jesus and the original inspiration of Magdalene. The rich experience of reflecting together and trying to understand better Magdalene’s mind and heart, her vision, provided the starting point for a journey of renewal in our Institute, at the dawn of the third century of its existence.

What Magdalene saw, fixing her eyes on Jesus Crucified, captured her heart and gave her a new direction for a specific way of life. We are attracted and inspired to enter into this same experience and to allow   ourselves to be transformed by the same fire of Charity that will enable us to pass it on to others in all its integrity.

Without taking for granted the journey of conversion we are called to undertake in following Jesus, we recognise that the great changes that have occurred in the past 200 years of our history demand that we intensify our availability to be converted/changed so that the charism received remains vital and integral in its essence.

The journey of transformation is an ongoing process that involves all aspects of life: the XV General Chapter offers some proposals and suggestions on how we can proceed in this direction.

The Provincial Councils, and the Sisters who have participated as Delegates to the General Chapter, are planning, or have planned, sessions for sharing and facilitating the interiorisation and the owning of the values proposed.  This will ensure a mentality of change that facilitates an authentic transformation of our being in conformity with Jesus, Son of God and Son of Mary, respecting the various cultural realities in which we live and serve.

“Therefore, let us lay aside every encumbrance of sin which clings to us

and persevere in running the race which lies ahead;

let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,

who inspires and perfects our faith.”

(Heb. 12, 1-2)

Have an enriching journey!

Let us entrust all our hopes and aspirations, needs and concerns into the caring hands of Mary Mother of Love at the foot of the Cross.

With loving and prayerful greetings to each one of you,

Sr. Margaret Peter, FdCC

Congregational  Leader