More than 900 Superiors General gathered today in Rome, at the Ergife Palace Hotel, for the opening of the XXIII Plenary Assembly of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), at a particularly significant moment for the Church, marked by the recent passing of Pope Francis and the anticipation of the new Pontiff.

The Assembly was opened by Sister Mary Barron, President of the UISG, who introduced the theme of the gathering: “Consecrated Life: A Transforming Hope.” In this Jubilee Year and the 60th anniversary of the UISG’s founding, Sister Barron encouraged participants to be “pilgrims of hope,” witnesses of unity and solidarity in a wounded world, in line with the spiritual and pastoral legacy of Pope Francis. She recalled the importance of a personal encounter with Christ, of authority as service, of vulnerability as a resource, the power of prayer, and the value of synodality.

During the morning session, Sister Mary Barron and Sister Patricia Murray, Executive Secretary, presented the UISG 2022–2025 Report, highlighting the broad scope of the Union’s activities: formation programs on leadership and synodality, the commitment of the Talitha Kum network against human trafficking, the Catholic Care for Children International project for family-based care of children, prophetic solidarity with migrants and refugees in symbolic places such as Lampedusa, and ecological initiatives inspired by Laudato Si’.

Participants emphasized that the work of the UISG stands out for its global reach, its ability to extend to even the most remote contexts, and its tangible support for communities in crisis, such as in Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A living testimony of hope that “does not give up and continues walking even when everything seems to collapse,” as Pope Francis once reminded us.

In the afternoon, the session continued with a reflection by Sister Mariola López Villanueva, RSCJ, who deepened the theme of hope based on Scripture. “Hope,” she said, “is a rope that God extends to us. It is a bond of love, care, trust, and responsibility.” A powerful message calling Consecrated Life to “weave networks that heal and regenerate,” living as humble pilgrims alongside the excluded, confident that God’s presence makes our lives and communities fruitful.

The day concluded with moments of sharing at more than 90 round tables, where participants reflected on the content of the day and re-elaborated it using the method of Conversation in the Spirit, culminating in a closing prayer.

View the photo album of the first day