Sister Pat Eck, Congregation leader for Sisters of Bon Secours world-wide, attended the International Plenary Session (May 7-11) of the UISG (International Union of Superiors General) in Rome, Italy that is celebrated every three years. 800 superiors general of religious communities gathered at this international forum to:
- share and exchange experiences and information and
- to better understand religious life as it is evolving throughout the world.
The plenary session theme was taken from St. John of the Cross: Drinking “from the fountain that springs forth and flows…. although it is night.” Religious life finds itself today in a situation of deep searching, of creativity and pruning. The Spirit, who dwells in us, continually quenches our thirst with water from the Fountain that is always replenished. We are drawn and inspired by a love, which calls us to fill situations of darkness with prophetic light and to dwell courageously in new horizons. The future of religious life lies in living fully our mystical yearning with our traditional calling to prophecy.”
Featured speakers and topics included: Fr Ciro Garcia, OCD from Spain gave the first conference on “Mysticism and Prophecy”. “Starting from the experience of St. John of the Cross which gave inspiration to the Spiritual Canticle, emphasized the close unity between the mystical and prophetic dimension of consecrated life and suggested concrete ways to live this vocation today.”
Sr. Judette Gallares, RC of the Philippines spoke on “Inspirational Biblical reflection” and reflected on the phases of the conversion process from its beginning until the prophetic mission.” Sr. Liliane Sweko, SNDdeN of the Democratic Republic of Congo spoke on “Called to Illuminate with Prophetic light the world of darkness” noting how the “African reality is a framework to remember the mystics and prophets of our time who continue to challenge us to become the light in the world today. She stressed that it is necessary to take care of Religious formation and at the same time be involved in structures which make possible the building of a more just world.” Rabbi Arthur Green from Boston, MA, USA, developed his theme “A Theology of Empathy” from “the common origins of Hebrew and Christian religious traditions. “Empathy means not only embracing each one in her diversity but also seeing through these differences our unity”. Empathy makes the proclamation of the good news possible in a secularized world.”
Fr Bruno Secondin, OCarm spoke on “The branch of an almond tree and the boiling pot” (Ger 1,11-13). The future of our mystical-prophetic heritage. “From the experience of the prophet Jeremiah and of our Founders and Foundresses, the speaker led the participants to a discovery of the fundamental experience towards becoming that “almond branch which blooms to announce a new season”.
Reports focusing on the realities of suffering and injustice were presented on: Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation , Project on Trafficking, Project on AIDS, Project Sudan, following Christ in a world that suffers.
Group Work: participants also worked in language groups to focus on what it means to be consecrated women religious in the world today, a world filled with much darkness and pain. Scripture and the writings of Saint John of the Cross became vehicles for these reflections.
Watch Youtube video of last day of UISG to catch the spirit of the gathering at: UISG Plenary Session (Rome, Italy) – Last Day, May 11, 2010.
Tags: bon secours, communities, consecrated women religious, Religious Life, sisters, sisters of bon secours, Vocations
