General Conference, First Day
Dear Sisters and Associates,
May peace and joy be with you. The General Conference is well under way. After greetings and wishes shared for the New Year, we asked Christ to be our light before sharing what has energised or been a strength for the province or region over the last few months. Sister Sophie
On this 22 of January 2024, the members of the General Conference travelled around the CND world at the speed of AI. In turn, the provinces and regions shared with the assembly the “strengths and new energies” they experienced over the course of 2023.
It seems clear to me that, even as we age in our ‘old’ provinces and even in our vulnerabilities, the miracle of energy is being renewed in different ways. I will explain in the following lines how I was amazed by what I saw and heard yesterday.
Amazed by the ongoing spiritual formation of our sisters after several apostolic experiences, by the contemplative practice of mindfulness, by efforts of justice, peace and integrity of Creation, by the attentive listening to Indigenous voices.
And what’s more, the beautiful young people present at WYD are inspiring the older CNDs! They remain open to change in their personal, community and missionary lives, and allow themselves to be challenged by global situations. “As religious sisters, what do we have to offer to the world today?” “With other congregations, how do we respond to gun violence?” The missionary spirit is still very much alive in the CND; would Marguerite Bourgeoys be part of it?
The spirit of Visitation has been with us since Mary, since the 17th century, and it is new too! It is embodied in dialogue, in the process of accepting our current and future realities, in the invitation to fight racism, in the accompaniment of sick sisters, in our efforts for justice for all human beings. I would also like to point out the energy that was generated by the visit of the General Leadership team to the two regions of the Congregation.
In conclusion, I admit that I see the Paschal Mystery in what we are living in the CND; mystery, yes: it surprises us in many ways in every milieu; mystery, yes: it invites us to let go and risk a better unknown; mystery, yes: it emerges in prayer, dialogue, and sororal and ecclesial communion. Wonders of God! HALLELUJAH!