The Assembly of the Province of St. Frances Cabrini, which brought together sisters and lay people, took place from November 2 to 6 at the Sacred Heart of Jesus House in São Paulo, Brazil. It was a moment of grace, of planning missionary life, of reviewing our journey and seeking new paths.
In the light of the Cabrinian Charism and the inspiring horizon of the XVIth General Chapter and in view of the world, ecological and synodal situation, the illuminating theme was “From the Heart of Christ, Sisters and Lay People called to walk together.”
The advisor and moderator, Father Mauro Vilela of the Congregation of the Redemptorist Missionaries, presided over the opening of the Assembly during the Eucharistic celebration.
In his homily, he highlighted how this assembly opens a new page in the history of the Province and establishes a particular time of grace, a favorable time for revitalization and the search for new perspectives today on the world and on the Church to promote evangelizing actions following a synodal approach.
Father Mauro said that the theme “From the Heart of Christ, Sisters and Lay People called to Communion” is a call to set foot on the road to strengthen communion and mission. In dynamic action, he invited sisters and lay people to receive and in turn to give out a small image of Our Lady of Aparecida in the spirit of giving and receiving and being connected by a common goal with a focus on mission.
The topics discussed followed the guidelines of the XVIth General Chapter – the journey taken in the process of implementing in practice the four mandates in the Province: Vocation, Mission, Formation and Government, presenting the highlights, the challenges and the new proposals.
We had the help of the speakers:
Eduardo Brasileiro, layman, BA and specialist in Sociology, spoke on the theme of the social, political, cultural and ecclesial context in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay
Father Juan Pablo Roldán of the Redemptorist Congregation spoke on formation for sisters and lay people.
In this assembly we reaffirmed the Chapter’s decision for sisters and laypeople: to walk together as a global community, continuing the legacy of Mother Cabrini, to “be bearers of Christ’s love for the vulnerable, to strengthen our service and commitment in the defense of human dignity, the care of the planet and the culture of peace”. (See Horizonte Inspirador page 5).
On the second day of the Assembly, November 3, there was a cultural and social evening enlivened by the band and artists from TV Aparecida.
The second stage of the assembly on November 5 and 6 was attended only by the sisters, with themes on formation for the consecrated life.
The team responsible presented the plan for ongoing and specific formation in the province. One of the objectives of the team’s proposal is the revitalization of consecrated life, starting with preparation for the Holy Year of Religious Life.
Father Juan Pablo Roldán developed the themes of Pilgrims of Hope and Consecrated Life in the Province in the light of Pope Francis’ Magisterium, Living Fraternity – creating spaces for active and creative listening.
Carla Borges from TV Aparecida presented the proposal of vocations for youth, as an incentive for our Vocations Ministry and immersion in the world of young people.
How to impact young people on social media? She pointed out that it requires specific strategies such as understanding the concerns and challenges that young people face and what their purposes in life are, using digital media to introduce the MSC Congregation to girls and winning new vocations through Instagram and other social media. Many are in search of their life project. The outline of the Province’s vocations ministry was presented.
The Assembly ended with a prayer of thanksgiving and the refrain “Let us entrust ourselves to the Lord, he is just and kind”.
