Information

21/05/2010

The last day of our continental encounter opened with a moving sharing session–a true work of grace on the part of the Lord–in which we highlighted all that we had received and lived during this intense period. Our journey is summed up in a small document that testifies to the fact that the goals of our meeting were successfully reached.

On the local level, we reached a profound consensus concerning the “beacons” that will mark our journey, namely: pastoral work for vocations, in which we will strive to find new ways to meet young women and get to better understand their world; the effort to share our charism with the laity, making the most of their vocation in the Church and forming ourselves to work together with them; and the renewal of our community life–the “place” where we prayerfully listen to the Word and share our faith with one another, the “place” in which we vibrantly proclaim the Gospel, and the “place” that draws vocations through its very atmosphere.

On the continental level, we established concrete priorities, together with specific short and medium-term time frames in which to realize them. The proposals express our desire to be a prophetic presence in today’s world and to act as “one body” in sharing our talents and resources. The priorities aim at the redesigning of our formation and mission, and at finding ways to stimulate greater collaboration and communion among our various circumscriptions.

“Let us allow the Lord to continue to lead us all together,” Sr. Maria Antonieta Bruscato, Superior General, urged the assembly in her final address. “For this, I ask the Spirit of the risen Lord to pour out his gifts upon us abundantly so as to help us build communities of true disciples, whom the Master recognizes, loves and continues to send out to the world.”

The Bishops’ Conference held at Aparecida in 2007, which focused on the theme of discipleship and mission, concluded with the choice to relaunch the Church’s pastoral work in Latin America from the platform of mission: a daring mission that would involve, above all, the laity, so as to seek out “the sheep outside the sheepfold.”

Dom Odilio Pedro Scherer, Archbishop of Sao Paulo, urged us to adopt the same program during a sharing session with us in which he recounted what has been happening in the Church of Latin America in this post-Aparecida period. Afterward, he presided over a very festive Eucharistic Celebration.

Thank you, sisters, for having accompanied us and followed our activities so attentively. Thank you all for the results of our encounter, in which you share because they are also the fruit of your prayers.

20/05/2010

Today, the Holy Spirit filled us with his light and strength, thus enabling us to come to a consensus concerning the choices we needed to make.

We felt his pressing appeal from the outset of the day, beginning with the Eucha-ristic Celebration presided over by Fr. Mario Nahuelpan.

We began our work by gathering in our study groups, in which the words unity and communion echoed powerfully…. We could not help but recognize in this the invi-tation of the Spirit to redesign our presences on the American continent by following the paths of communion and collaboration.

Fortified by this profound harmony of intention, we proceeded to focus on con-crete proposals that would help to unify us. In the afternoon, we analyzed these propos-als, arranged them according to priority, and established timeframes in which to carry them out.

This beautiful yet exhausting day concluded with an hour of adoration guided by the Superior General, who centered her animation on our Founder’s very illuminating words concerning the universality of our mission.

 

19/05/2010 

This was undoubtedly the most demanding day of our work so far because the day was entirely dedicated to drawing up a rough draft of our Continental Project. With this in mind, during the Offertory procession at Mass this morning, the circumscription superiors carried to the altar not only the communion wafers to be consecrated but also, symbolically, all the members of their respective communities–a very meaningful act.

During our Morning Prayer, which centered on the needs of our sisters of the Venezuela–Puerto Rico–Dominican Republic Delegation, we begged the Holy Spirit to help us discern the will of God regarding the redesigning of our presences in America.

Sr. Battistina guided our work lovingly and competently, inviting us to reflect and discuss with one another the proposals that emerged in our study groups yesterday. She said that in trying to discern our priorities, we should keep in mind three key words: feasibility, urgency and importance.

The exchange of ideas in our general assembly was very lively. The Holy Spirit is at work and is already revealing himself through the first points on which we have reached a consensus. Tomorrow we will finalize our choices.

We want to thank you once again for remaining close to us in spirit, sisters, and we ask you to continue to support us with your prayers.

 

18/05/2010 

This morning, our sisters of the United States animated our Eucharistic Celebration, inviting us to joyfully thank the Lord for the new technologies of communication, which open many new doors to our mission. We began our work day by praying with and for our communities of the United States, guided by the illuminating words of St. Paul and Fr. Alberione, both of whom stressed the importance of collaboration.

Our morning was a prolonged information session. Sr. M. Antonieta told us about the upcoming activities of the General Government; Sr. Anna Caiazza described for us the project being prepared to provide the Congregation with animations on the Constitutions over the next two years; Sr. Anna Maria Parenzan brought us up to date on the work being done on the Opera Omnia of Primo Maestro and Prima Maestra (a true wealth for us) and then told us about the recent Seminar on Hermeneutics, which centered on the personal notebooks of Prima Maestra. Sr. Gabriella, the Bursar General, concluded the information session with a number of practical directives concerning the administration of temporal goods in our circumscriptions.

In the afternoon, we met in our small groups to try to attain a convergence of thought concerning the proposals for redesigning our presence on the continental level. The points upon which we commonly agreed were then presented to the assembly. Tomorrow we will decide which of these points will become our priorities.

Sisters, we continue to count on your prayers for us and we deeply appreciate the many messages and best wishes we receive from you every day. We too lovingly remember you to the Lord in our daily Eucharist and other times of prayer.

 

  17/05/2010

This morning, our Eucharistic Celebration was presided over by Fr. Arno Brostolin and animated by the sisters of the General Government. Special emphasis was given to the penitential rite, which featured a handwashing ceremony as a sign of purification. During the Morning Prayer that opened our work day, we remembered our sisters in Peru and Bolivia and the people among whom they live and work.

Our morning was characterized by a time of powerful communion thanks to Sr. Elide Pulita, director of the Secretariat for the Latin-American Apostolate, who spoke movingly about SAL’s 18 years of service to the Congregation and the peoples of America, and then offered us the Secretariat’s proposals for redesigning our presences on this continent.

She also informed us about the results of the survey SAL carried out with the help of our sisters of the United States on the significant presence of Latin American immigrants in many parts of that country. She then proposed a pre-project for the missionary animation of Hispanic immigrants to be carried out on the continental level.

Afterward, in keeping with the directives of Sr. Battistina, our facilitator, we resumed work on our circumscription projects, enriching them with the many new insights we received in these days and integrating them with concrete points

In the afternoon, an Hour of Adoration guided by the General Government was followed by a time in which each circumscription presented the fruits of its work. With deep emotion, we noted a strong convergence on three priorities: pastoral work for vocations, the laity and community life–three elements that are closely connected and have many points in common.

At the end of this sharing session, Sr. Battistina told us that with this work we have reached the first goal of our encounter. Beginning tomorrow, all our efforts will be channeled into realizing our second objective, namely: the drawing up of our Continental Project.

In view of this, we have now begun to examine personally the proposals for redesigning our presences on the continental level presented by the various circumscriptions. Tomorrow afternoon, we will share our opinions concerning these suggestions in our small groups.

16/05/2010

Today, we solemnized the great feasts of the Ascension and World Communications Day by means of a beautiful Eucharistic Celebration animated by our sisters of the Peru-Bolivia Delegation and enriched by the presence of our sisters of the Città Regina community.

The joyous Liturgy was an excellent introduction to the day’s work, the first part of which was carried out on the small group level. There, we shared ideas concerning the concrete needs of the people that we must respond to through our apostolate; the inspirations we received in these days regarding how to improve our circumscription projects, and the factors that can help us carry out our mission more effectively on the American continent.

The numerous convergences of thought that emerged during our general assembly provided us with valuable points to incorporate into our local projects.

During the second part of the day, we strengthened the bonds of communion among ourselves as we listened to the reports of the circumscription superiors concerning their members, activities, redesigning activities already underway, prospects for the future and proposals for redesigning our presences on the continental level. It was very moving to see everyone’s commitment, creativity and vision of the future….

All this is helping us take great strides toward drawing up our Continental Project, which is the goal of this Encounter.

Our long day–very demanding but at the same time very rich in ideas–concluded with a festive recreation period enlivened by the presence of the 10 postulants of the Brazilian Province, who did a beautiful dance to the song, Aquarela do Brasil.

15/05/2010

Today being Saturday, a day traditionally dedicated to Mary, we took a break from our work and made a pilgrimage to the world-famous Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida,, the Patroness of Brazil.

The three-hour bus trip passed by very pleasantly and we arrived at the Shrine in time to participate in a very festive Eucharistic Celebration, presided over by Dom Walmor Oliveira Azevedo, the Archbishop of Belo Horizonte.

The huge Shrine was overflowing with an immense crowd of pilgrims, not only from Belo Horizonte but from all parts of the country. During the prayers of intercession, we were all deeply moved to hear the assembly pray for the Daughters of St. Paul of America and for our General Government.

After Mass, Claudio Pastro, the “creative genius” behind the whole artistic design of Aparecida, gave us a guided tour of the Shrine, during which he explained the theological-spiritual significance of his paintings. He is also the artist who painted the frescos in the chapel of our FSP apostolic headquarters in Sao Paulo.

Before returning home, we stopped in a small town near Aparecida to pay homage to the first Brazilian saint, Brother Antonio de Sant’Ana Galvao, who was canonized by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007.

It was yet another precious occasion to ask for blessings from on high for our work. In fact, tomorrow we will begin drawing up our continental project.

14/05/2010

This morning, during the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Mario F. Miranda and animated by our sisters of Mexico, we were invited to reflect on two great challenges to the religious life today: individualism and activism, which make us run the risk of neglecting what really counts and which also weaken our love.

After praying for the Province of Colombia-Ecuador, we once again immersed ourselves in the socio-ecclesial situations of the American continent.

Professor Daniel Seidel, a political science expert, competently and passionately analyzed the current situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, while Fr. Mario F. Miranda, a Jesuit theologian, sketched out the features of the Church in the light of the many profound socio-cultural changes that are urging her to be a credible “sacrament of God” in the midst of the people.

Both talks shed great light on subjects that today powerfully question the Church, the religious life, and our mission in particular.

In thanking our guest speakers, the Superior General underscored the great provocations we face in the spheres of personal witness and mission. But, as she forcefully reminded everyone, St. Paul faced equally big challenges.

As good daughters of such a great father, we must move ahead trusting in the power of the Spirit, whom we invoked with loving insistence in our evening prayer.

Before closing this brief news flash, we want to thank all the sisters who have been sending us messages in these days, assuring us of their prayers and solidarity.

13/05/2010

Today, 13 May, we began the day by uniting ourselves to the universal Church in celebrating the memory of the Virgin of Fatima. During the Eucharistic Liturgy, celebrated by Fr. Mario Nahuelpan and animated by the sisters of our Colombian Province, we were invited to focus on the penitential rite in a special way by writing on a small piece of paper something for which we wanted to ask the Lord for forgiveness. (The scraps of paper were later burnt.)

At the end of the Mass, each sister voiced her thanks to God by means of a single word that summed up the element that had struck her most profoundly yesterday; these words, affixed to colorful paper hearts, were then used to decorate several bare tree branches.

Our work this morning was preceded by a moment of prayer for the victims of the Chilean earthquake and for our sisters who live and work in that country. Afterward, we participated in an interesting round table discussion during which the General Councilors and Bursar General offered us many points to reflect on in various areas of the Pauline life: spirituality, pastoral work for vocations, formation, communications, apostolate, administration, the laity….

The themes were all presented in a profound and integral way. In each talk, we felt the Spirit prodding us to “rise up” and resume our journey so as to be transformed in order to speak about God and be his presence and voice in contemporary society.

We felt urged to open ourselves to new ways of carrying out the apostolate, administering our temporal goods, and collaborating competently with the laity in a spirit of communion, aware of the role they carry out in the evangelizing mission of the Church. Like us, our lay collaborators need to live the Pauline charism fully and profoundly.

This evening we prayed the rosary together, in union with the Pope in Fatima, for the intention of the Church and her difficult situation today. Thus ended another day rich in ideas and provocations that we now need to reflect on more deeply in view of our upcoming work.

12/05/2010

The third day of our meeting opened with a solemn Eucharistic Celebration prepared by the sisters of our Chilean Delegation. It was a favorable moment to pray for the Church and people of the American continent, keeping in mind in a special way the great “Continental Mission” currently underway. The whole pastoral itinerary of this Mission, promoted by the Aparecida Encounter, is founded on the table of the Eucharist, the Word and solidarity.

Afterward, we listened attentively to the presentations of our sisters of Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela concerning the situations in which they live and work. Their input brought us to a fresh awareness of several significant and also worrying issues.

After a short time of personal reflection, we gathered as an assembly to discuss the convergent points that emerged in these three talks, in particular: the increasing poverty of the people, which is giving rise to violence; the spread of drug trafficking; a decrease in the number of Catholics and a proliferation of sects; disillusionment with the Church, and a crisis with regard to values.

But we also noted many potentials and signs of hope, which enabled us to welcome the invitation to live in an attitude of continual discernment concerning the future of our mission in this part of the world. We closed the morning with the conviction that our search to find common lines of action is leading us to greater syntony among ourselves and also to a greater awareness of the human and cultural resources at our disposition on this continent.

In the afternoon, an ample time dedicated to personal prayer and reflection prepared us for a work session in small groups, during which we sought to identify the most urgent needs of the American continent. We came to a convergence of thought with surprising ease, pinpointing the new technologies, the laity and ongoing formation ad intra and ad extra as the areas on which to concentrate our attention in a special way.

A moving audiovisual prayer centered on the recent devastating earthquake in Chile ended this very full day.

11/05/2010

The second day of our encounter opened with a very moving Eucharistic Celebration prepared by our sisters of Argentina and presided over by Fr. Arno Brustolin.

In her opening address to the assembly, Sr. M. Antonieta offered everyone prophetic words to help illuminate the research and discernment we will be carrying out in these days. This prophetic element was well captured in the title of her talk: Where the Lord Is Leading Us: Toward New Horizons with the Creativity of the Spirit.

In the afternoon, everyone reflected personally on this text and then shared the fruit of their reflections in the assembly, underscoring the fundamental values necessary for the revitalization we all desire. Convergence on a number of key words highlighted aspects of the Pauline life and mission that constitute the basic “fabric” on which our work will focus in the coming days.

Afterward, with great creativity, a number of circumscriptions (Argentina-Paraguay-Uruguay, Colombia-Ecuador, Peru-Bolivia, Chile and the United States) presented the emerging trends in their respective socio-cultural, religious and communications contexts. The assembly responded to this input by once again looking for convergences so as to build a common “platform” on which to draw up our redesigning projects on the local and continental levels.

In the evening, our sisters of Argentina guided us in a concluding prayer characterized by thanksgiving to God for a day truly rich in gifts.