10 September
CLOSING EUCHARISTIC CELEBRATION
The day began with praying the Lauds together. We had a very easy morning and after breakfast, the sisters took their time to chat, to have a personal prayer time, to walk around the campus or simply sat on a sofa sprawled in the lobby and enjoyed a cup of coffee or a warm lemon tea. It was a relaxing morning after weeks of assiduous works of the General Chapter.
His Imminence Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, the Prefect of the Dicastery of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, presided the Closing Celebration of the 29th General Chapter. He is originally from Brazil. He was named by the late Pope Benedict XVI as the Prefect of the Dicastery since 4th of January 2011. He accompanies the Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life with dedication, affection and mercy in the amidst of many sufferings of today. Sr Kelly and Sr Hortência warmly welcomed him in the name of the Chapter delegates to the celebration. The mass was well animated by the Sisters from Mozambique in collaboration with different language groups, which gave the liturgical celebration an intercultural flavor. Cardinal Braz expressed his joy of being with the Capitulants who have lived both times of joys and pains during these days.
The Cardinal spoke of the Gospel on forgiveness. Forgiveness is a precious instrument necessary in each one to build a fraternal community. Religious life is following Christ, TOGETHER. It is walking together with our beautiful diversity for we knew that unity is build up in diversity. It is in this context that we form fraternal life and when necessary, give fraternal correction. He emphasized the role of the Gospel in living our walking together in community. We need to allow the Gospel to enter into our lives and see the situation through the lens of the Gospel. It is in the perspective of the Gospel that we can live in harmony. After the mass, we greeted the Cardinal and shared a festive meal. We also enjoyed the beautifully decorated delicious cake!
In the afternoon, some sisters walked down to the village of Nemi to shop some souvenirs and enjoyed the local gelato. While others had a quiet afternoon or started to pack up their belongings for their return trips. The afternoon was peaceful and restful. One can sensed that the 29th General chapter was over but we continue to write the pages of the new chapter of our lives as a Congregation… The love of Christ impels us… let us move forward on the footsteps of Saint Marie Rivier! Towards where the spirit leads…
