Dear Sisters, we are delighted to welcome you to our Land, the Brazil Area of the Institute. We are gathered to begin the General Chapter, the Ecclesial event of our Institute. We warmly welcome you!
I would like to briefly express our feelings through the 2025 CLAR (Latin American Conference of Religious of Latin America and the Caribbean) icon.
The icon is inspired by John 3:3 – Nicodemus’ meeting with Jesus – (let’s situate ourselves in the Word of God for a moment). Let’s try to feel, in the text, Jesus revealing a deep desire also for a Religious life: to be born again!
What does it mean for Religious life today to be born again?
To be born again means
- Allowing ourselves to be transformed by the divine breath/ by the divine ruah.
- Being led by the subtle and unpredictable force of the spirit, which proposes rather than imposes.
- Meeting Jesus again and holding onto hope for the kingdom
- Being guided by the spirit until we embrace a more prophetic and coherent life.
- Renewing our generous surrender, without reservations and offering ourselves completely ( John 19:39)
To be born again
- We need an open mindset that allows us to take a leap of faith and be molded by God.
- We need to move away from rigid structures and outdated securities and learn to be humble disciples who listen to the voice of the ultimate meaning of our consecration.
To be born again
- We need to believe that it is possible to be reborn from our fragility and contradictions because we are supported by a hope that does not disappoint us.
- It is important to reconnect with Jesus again and walk with Him, committing ourselves to supporting the poor, fostering hope for the kingdom.
If we want to be born again
- We must be able to respond to the complexities of our time.
- We must have the courage to let ourselves be challenged in defense of life and to confront the powers of oppression.
- We must be committed to justice in the face of so many brothers and sisters who are abandoned, hungry, persecuted and even murdered in cold blood.
- Let’s, therefore, dear Sisters, participate in this General Chapter with enthusiasm and hearts full of hope. We are called to walk boldly on unprecedented paths, to deconstruct and build anew, just as Nicodemus did when he risked going beyond the laws of his country.
- We hope that this General Chapter will be woven with boldness and openness, illuminated by the holy spirit, so that we may experience a rebirth.
Thank you very much! Make yourselves at home.
Sr. Maria Helena Morra, RSHM
