XVII General Chapter - 2022
"As soon as I arrived at Venice, that very evening, I was told about the Work and I again spoke to the Lord about it."
(Magdalene of Canossa, Memoirs III, 6)
Dear Sisters,
It is with a profound sense of gratitude that we present the Document of the XVII General Chapter, fruit of the discernment of the Chapter Sisters, guided and sustained by the life-giving action of the Spirit and by the prayer and the silent, efficacious sacrifices of all of you.
The General Chapter, an ecclesial event relevant to Canossian life and mission, was lived in the joy, although sober, of being together in person after the long period of forced distance due to the pandemic.
Dialoguing around a table, discussing with others face to face, praying together, listening to the Word and sharing the Eucharist were gifts of Grace, that reminded us of Jesus' words, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me and I in him bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing." (Jn. 15:5)
In this fraternal atmosphere, certain of the Spirit's presence which overcomes resistance, we delved into the reflection of the Chapter theme: "Women of the Word who Love without Measure Reconfiguration to a Life of Holiness in and for the Mission, Today."
We shared life experiences, pastoral urgencies from various geographical areas and different cultures, seeking to hear in them the cry of the poor, the call of our 'common home', the needs of the Institute and the provocations of the recent Ecclesial Magisterium on Consecrated Life (Interculturality, Synodality, Leadership, Formation, Mission, Charismatic Family, Inter-congregationality, Laity).
Today's history, marked by various conflicts, urges us to make bold ministerial choices, new styles of fraternal and ministerial life and evangelical leadership, without becoming discouraged if, like the disciples, we too find that "we have caught nothing", trusting the Lord and his invitation to take risks on his Word: "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find." (Jn. 21:6)
The Chapter Document desires to be a tool that indicates possible changes to be undertaken with responsibility and a "wise heart" (1 Kings 3:12) in every Province and Delegation.
It proposes suggestions for continuous formation, adopting formative and implementation processes to rediscover the richness of the gift of our Charism which expresses itself in the diverse ecclesial and social situations.
In some way, it is that "new wine" that brings in the newness of the Gospel, inviting and impelling us for change, giving new vision, a taste for goodness, sense of belonging and greater clarity for the journey ahead.
We know that in times of change there is a greater need to return to the fundamentals. How can we then, not return with speed and conviction to a contemplative listening to the Word of God?
Let "the Word" listened to, treasured and shared, be the key to the past, the light on the present, the wide-open door to the future so that Charity may become flesh of our own flesh.
Let us trust in the Lord, in the Church on the move, in the energy of the Charism, in the humble and constant prayer of all, for a reconfiguration to a life of holiness in and for the mission today.
May Mary, Woman of the Word and St. Magdalene, our Mother, accompany the journey of our communities in the next sexennium, so that we make visible with our lives, the "Charism of Charity".
With affection
SR. SANDRA MAGGIOLO
Congregational Leader