UISG
PLENARY
Rome, May 6-10 2007
PROGRAM
CONFERENCES:Welcoming words from Sr. Therezinha Rasera
Rome, 7-5-07 - “To weave a new spirituality means to consolidate the road towards the universal solidarity that helps to transform every person and the world, through justice, peace and the care for the universe.” These words are part of the message that Sister Therezinha Joana Rasera, SDS, President of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) spoke in her welcoming words to the 800 Religious Superiors General, gathered for the Plenary of the UISG 2007. The theme of the 5 day meeting is: “Challenged to weave a new spirituality that generates hope and life for all humanity.”
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In regards to Consecrated Life, Sister Therezinha affirmed also that the Congregations are “challenged to weave a new spirituality” founded on the Word. This fabric of spirituality implies being open to the Spirit, letting ourselves be guided by Him; it implies also “ being sensitive and attentive to the cry of our times.
Conference of Fr. Thomas Hughes, SVD
Father Thomas Hughes, SVD, is an Irish missionary working in Brazil. Speaking about the theme of the Plenary he reminded us that by weaving, creating something new from different threads, Religious must above all identify the essential elements. He added that weaving means “ to create new fabric using old and new threads”. One of the essentials to weave a new spirituality is the person of Jesus of Nazareth and His project for humanity. The prophetic dimension of Religious Life was highlighted by the speaker when he affirmed that in the course of history there have always been women and men of the Word that spoke out against injustice and oppression, that defended the weak and stood up against the powerful. Full of zeal, “they succeeded in convincing others because they themselves were convinced about their message”.
Other threads for this new spirituality are: the discipleship of Jesus, the reading of reality from the perspective of the poor and of the marginalised, the diverse charisma of the Congregations.
