The Chapter delegates, filled with enthusiasm and hope, arrived by bus at the Sanctuary of Loyola from the community of Las Arenas on the 30th April 2013 at 5.00 pm.  The General Council and the sisters from South America welcomed them.

On 1st May the Eucharistic celebration took place in the chapel of Conversion of St. Ignatius at 8.30 am.  At 9.30 we began a procession

to the Chapter room for the opening prayer which was prepared by Sr. Immaculate Nakato.  A hymn to the Holy Spirit was sung in four different languages and at each interval four sisters were asked to walk to the Paschal Candle and light their candle in the name of each of their regions or provinces.

After this ritual, Sr. Christine Barrier, Superior General, welcomed the capitulants and invited them to live the great and beautiful adventure of the General Chapter in the place where Ignatius was born. She also invited us to think about the three sisters who were unable to come for the chapter because of illness so that we could accompany them with prayer and affection in their particular moment of trial. Each capitulant was called by name and responded “Here I am, may the Spirit guide me” after which Christine, the President of the Chapter, declared it open.

Then we were invited by the moderator, Sr. Pilar, to connect ourselves with the source of life within us which prepared us to share our feelings and preoccupations in language groups.  Later on the moderator invited 6 sisters from different age groups to be interviewed about their expectations, fears, and concerns.

All the experiences of the first day prepared us well to enter more deeply into the life we will share as we continue to do work of the Chapter during the month of May.