On 24 April the General Chapter began, today we tell you everything that has happened in these first few days
On 24 April last, our congregation began its XXII General Chapter. It was a day of great joy and a day of profound reflection and importance for the Sisters Hospitallers. Prior to the opening ceremony, the Eucharist was celebrated, presided over by Brother Jesús Etayo, Superior General of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God. You can read the full homily in this article on the General Chapter website.
This was followed by the long-awaited opening ceremony. A ceremony in which all the representatives of the province wore a symbol representing them. In the case of our province, our Provincial Superior, Sr Lourdes Sanz, who explained her wishes for this event in this interview explained the following symbol as a representation of our work.
In this act of inauguration of the Chapter, the Superior General of our congregation was in charge of the opening speech that you can read in this link. In her words, she explained that the purpose of the Chapter is, in a very short description, to gather the elements of blessing and challenge that the congregation is facing.
In the afternoon session, a more functional organisation of the assembly for this period of work took place, and Sr Mª Carmen Martín was elected as chapter secretary.
In addition, the wishes that move us for this General Chapter were also projected: a listening with heart, which leads us to a shared vision of the future, inspiring, and with a horizon of charismatic meaning.
25/4 Beginning of the reflection and dialogue on the Directory
The work of reflection and dialogue began on the Directory as our normative document that concretises the recently renewed Constitutions of 2022, updating our internal legislation, that of the Church itself, and the needs of today, projecting us into the future with hope.
This process was assisted as Chapter facilitator by Sister Pilar Benavente Serrano, of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Africa, who has also been present throughout the precapitular process.
Throughout this process, a participatory methodology is being used, which promotes and facilitates discernment, based on personal, group and assembly reflection. Prayer, dialogue and listening are vital dynamics, from which the proposal for the renewal and updating of our internal regulations is being constructed, as the generating source of life and mission that it wishes to be.
This is what we have been doing in the previous process, which has led us, as a continuous line, to this point where we find ourselves in the Chapter, fruit of the participation of the communities of sisters inserted in the diverse geographical and cultural realities of the Congregation. The same heartbeat unites us: Hospitality, following in the footsteps of the Good Samaritan.
26/4- 29/4 First part of the Directory
The reflection and dialogue of the first part of the Directory began. Sr Mª Pilar Benavente Serrano of the Sisters of Our Lady of Africa facilitated the methodology and the dynamics of discernment.
In the following days, the work of the first part of the Directory was continued, together with personal work, by communities of discernment and sharing in assembly. During these days, the present and the steps for the future were analysed.
Aitor Jiménez (cmf), currently Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life, an expert canonist who was advising in the process of revision and updating of the Directory, as he did previously with the revision of the Constitutions in 2022.
In addition, the messages from the entire Hospitaller Family, which arrive by e-mail as well as through the web site, were read and thanked.
You can continue sending your messages for the general chapter here
