Today was a bit of a transition day.  The end of the Chapter is coming near and we feel grateful for having accomplished what we came here to do.

The day started with morning prayer prepared by our Sisters from Spain.

After breakfast, we worked to give the Chapter Message its finishing touches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And then…

We switched gears and focused on giving thanks to all of the people who have made this Chapter a truly growth-filled intercultural experience. Some of our very creative Sisters organized the expressions of gratitude as if those to be thanked were guests on an episode of “PM TV”. The announcers enthusiastically played the audience in order to elicit cheers, drum beats and even a bit of dancing. Individual Sisters expressed gratitude to those who were of service during the Chapter. There was a commercial break by one of our Sisters from Senegal, who hilariously advertised the various hot beverages and snacks that were available to us throughout this Chapter. She attempted to appeal to the audience by speaking in the five languages of the Congregation including Japanese which she outright made up, and the result was comical… a real break!!! 

Our expressions of gratitude to the participants was completed and, we moved to thanking our generous and life-renewing God. The lively Eucharistic celebration was prepared by our Sisters from The Gambia/Ghana.

This afternoon we travelled to a nearby shrine; The Sanctuary to Our Lady of Divine Love.  This shrine pays homage to Our Lady for interventions for the Roman people, through a miraculous fresco, dating back to 1740. Together we prayed the rosary in five languages in the main church of the shrine.  Afterwards, feeling the heat of the day, we gratefully enjoyed a gelato, compliments of Mother Maria dos Anjos.

Arriving back at Centro Ad Gentes a bit before dinner, we savored our evening meal and retired, giving thanks for a very enjoyable day! 

Sr. Diane Dube

Nemi, 09.09.2023