As she concludes her service as Executive Secretary of UISG, Sr. Pat Murray ibvm reflects on more than eleven years dedicated to supporting and accompanying consecrated life. In this message, she expresses her gratitude for the many leaders, collaborators, and partners she has encountered along the way, and highlights some of the key milestones that have marked this period of growth and transformation for UISG.

It has been a great privilege and pleasure for me to have served consecrated life as Executive Secretary of UISG for over eleven years. During this time, I have met so many superiors general and congregational leaders at assemblies and meetings, in person and online. I am deeply grateful to all of you for your extraordinary leadership and for your support of UISG.

I am especially grateful to those who have served on the board of UISG or as delegates representing its 36 constellations. A special word of thanks must go to the Presidents, Sr. Carmel Sammut msola, Sr. Jolanta Kafka cms, Sr. Nadia Coppa asc and Sr. Mary Barron ola, with whom I worked closely and who were a wonderful support.

This decade has been a period of change and transformation, and there is much to celebrate despite the many challenges and the contexts in which we, as religious women, have had to face our own vulnerability and fragility. This very experience has placed us deeply among the women and men of our time.

Among the significant moments of these years, I recall the times Pope Francis addressed us at UISG Assemblies and during the Year of Consecrated Life, challenging us to Wake up the World and to leave behind our safe and secure places in order to go to the peripheries, both geographical and existential. 

UISG responded by establishing, during its Jubilee Year in 2015, an inter-congregational initiative in Sicily to accompany migrants and refugees and to build bridges between local people and those arriving in Europe.

In the same spirit, UISG deepened its efforts to reach out to those trafficked and exploited through the network of Talitha Kum. Pope Francis has described trafficking as “a scourge” and “a very serious violation of fundamental human rights.” Talitha Kum has gone from strength to strength, now with 64 networks present in 108 countries, involving from 840 religious congregations. 

Another milestone was the launch of Sowing Hope for the Planet in 2019, which expanded the commitment of sisters to the care of creation. Many sisters now serve as Laudato Si’ animators and share their resources, plans, and practical initiatives on the Sowing Hope for the Planet website. 

Another initiative, Catholic Care for Children International works with congregations in several countries to reduce the reliance on institutional care and to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing family environment.

Over the years, the expansion of formation programs for superiors general, members of general councils, and congregational members has been extensive. Meetings take place in Rome, in other centers around the world, and increasingly online, thanks to our enhanced technological capacity. These encounters have created a growing sense of being a global sisterhood, reaching out together to respond to contemporary needs and supporting one another when times or contexts are difficult. Many topics have been addressed, with special focus on leadership formation, interculturality, spirituality, and synodality.

The yearly Programme for the Preparation of Formators, which has now completed its seventh year, has been greatly appreciated. Each year, about 45 sisters take part, engage in a process of inner transformation, guided by various presenters, mentors, and directors, and weave bonds of friendship.

These initiatives would not be possible without the dedication and giftedness of the UISG staff—religious sisters and lay women and men. Some lead these initiatives, while others provide secretarial, financial, administrative, communication, and technical support.

As I conclude, I wish to thank you, the members of UISG, for your participation, support, and encouragement during these past eleven years. I also want to express my gratitude to the many who collaborate with UISG, including the staff of Vatican dicasteries, international Catholic organizations and foundations, embassies to the Holy See, universities, and the many who follow UISG through its social media. 

I know that UISG will go from strength to strength under the leadership of the new Board and the new Executive Secretary, Sr Roxanne Schares.

Pope Leo XIV encourages us “to be missionaries, opening our arms to the world and proclaiming God’s love.” He reminds us of the importance of unity, dialogue, and charity, urging us to build bridges and be a leaven of harmony for humanity.

May UISG continue to support consecrated life in this journey, and may we pray for one another.