PHOTO GALLERY 10-05-06

 The fifth and last day of the 2007 UISG Plenary began with a call to prayer led by sisters from the South Pacific. The prayers, uttered and sung, were accompanied by images and texts projected on the big screens. An African blessing prepared the participants for the day’s events.

 The first draft of the Declaration was presented by the Writing Committee. After individual reflection and small group sharing, the members of the UISG pointed out the areas they agreed or disagreed,  what points were missed in the Declaration, what other aspects needed to be added and suggestions to consider to make the declaration faithful to what the UISG has gone through during the Plenary. All these were given to the Writing Committee as they continue their work.

 Sr. Victoria Gz de Castejón, UISG secretary general, gave more relevant information to the superiors general about the UISG. The meetings of the constellations were also tackled.

Sr. Enrica Rosanna, FMA, under secretary of the  Congregation for Institutes of  Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life  gave a report on, “What I have seen and heard at the Plenary”. Present during the five-day Plenary whose theme, “Challenged to weave a new spirituality which generates hope and life for all”,  Sr. Enrica said what touched her from the beginning of the meeting was the word  “generate” which is a very feminine word; it is the mark of  women  --also in the body--fertility.

 Looking at the threads wowen during the Plenary— Women, The Earth and its Sacredness, Interreligious Dialogue, The Immigrants and the Displaced, The Laity – Sr. Rosanna reiterated that women are called to be blessings to their co-sisters, those who are near them, and for all persons whom we try to reach out to, in particular the poor, the abused, those mocked by society, the marginalized. Their embrace will remind them always that they are children loved by God.

 Fr. Vitor Pinto, CMF,  from the Claretian congregation was invited to talk about Vidimus Dominum, the website of the UISG and USG (Unions of Superiors General).  Vidimus Dominum was launched during the 1997 International meeting of Young Religious Men and Women. It continues today with the collaboration of religious from various congregations. Fr. Vitor explained to the participants the features of the site, the richness of the documents that may be acquired from it and the collaboration of religious congregations in maintaining it.

 In the afternoon, there was a Dialogue with Archbishop Gianfranco Agostino Gardin, secretary of CICLSAL.  Topics that surfaced were on the role of the dicastery, the relationships between religious and the Episcopal conferences. The participants appreciated his responses and his openness to answer important questions concerning religious life.

 A representative of the Writing Committee read the second draft of the Declaration, here is the opening statement:

 Throughout this Assembly, we have heard the invitation to live in covenant with God, as co-creators, generating life and hope, through relationships of respect, dialogue, inclusion, trust, co responsibility and interdependence.  Our growing awareness of our connectedness with the whole of life intall its forms challenges us to a new vision and understanding of the consecrate life today.

 Contemplating the Word of God, we are called to read the signs of  our times with the eyes of God and with our women’s hearts. (The full text of the Declaration will be published here soon).

 There was standing ovation after the reading and an expression of gratitude for the Writing Committee who worked hard to weave together the threads and fabrics that the participants have shared during the Plenary.  Sr. Therezinha Joana Rasera, SDS,  UISG president, then  gave her closing message and called on the 10 sisters who accepted to be members of the Executive Board of the UISG.

 A most fitting celebration followed. Archbishop Gianfranco Agostino Gardin and Fr. Eusebio Hernandez Sola, OAR head of the Office for Religious, led  the Eucharistic  celebration in thanksgiving to God for the many blessings during the five-day UISG Plenary.  The participants lifted up in prayers what the Declaration says:

  

Let us become Weavers of the Kingdom of God.
May the conversion of our hearts and minds uproot us.
May we widen our tents.
May hope and life for humanity and all creation surge from our tireless weaving of a  spirituality of communion.