In the news of May 15 we told you that we were going to end that day with a silent supper in preparation for a reconciliation service.   The sound of a drum invited us to gather in a lovely chapel where we expressed our common desire to live in communion with one another.  While clasping each other’s hands, one after the other, we said with deep and moving sincerity, “You are my sister. You are my strength.”  With this gesture, we asked Jesus to give us the grace to be women capable of giving life, of becoming “so perfected in unity that the world will recognize” that God sent Jesus so that all might be one (Jn. 17:21-13).

After our day off on the 16^th, Pope Francis’ blessings for the Chapter was read to us in Italian.  After that, in plenary, we listened to a conversation between the sisters of Africa, Madagascar and Latin America. They first shared what they had learned about each other over the past days. Then dialogued about life-style and formation in each of their areas.  Mauritius joined in the conversation from time to time.

We spent a large part of the day talking in language groups around our tables in the Chapter room about how to live our internationality during the next six years.  We finished the day reviewing drafts on life-style, vocation promotion, associate life and volunteer possibilities. 

Tomorrow we begin a new moment in the life of this Chapter.  With a Eucharistic celebration at 8am with Mark Rotsaert, S.J. as presider, we will enter a time of retreat preparatory to the election of the next General Superior and Council.  Certainly, in our next news episode, you will learn who we have elected as our new congregational leadership team.