At the conclusion of the 2025 Plenary Assembly of the UISG, we gather in this section the testimonies and reflections of some Superiors General on the major themes that animated our days of listening, discernment, and communion.

Through these weekly interviews, we wish to open a space of listening and communion, where the experience of those who, from diverse contexts, walk the synodal path in service of the Gospel and consecrated life in today’s world can truly resonate.

This week we share the words of Sister Elva Guadalupe Ruiz Bueno, Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate of Guadalupe, on the synodality.

"Consecrated life has accepted the call, the invitation of the Holy Father Francis - may he rest in peace - to live synodality. And it is precisely in our religious communities that we have the perfect space to promote synodality from within our communities, as a means to grow in fraternity, communication, and to orient our projects and objectives at the local level. And then also, in an organizational structure, to promote this harmony from the general government and provincial governments.

We have welcomed into the congregation the “conversation in the Spirit,” the method of the Synod. We began to practice it in the Church in Mexico. It was proposed to us there, we brought it to the level of the governments; at this moment we are on a canonical visit and are beginning to promote it in the communities. We plan to promote it in all the communities of the congregation.

This is as far as internal dynamics are concerned.

Then, in our fields of apostolate—in education, health care, and mission—we also work a lot with the laity. For this reason, it is essential to be able to listen to one another, to welcome the emotions that the Holy Spirit places in the heart of each person, and to have the desire to live the Gospel according to our spirituality, our charism, and the needs of the Church, discerning together the voices of the Spirit.

Synodality, of course, can be lived in a very concrete way in this space of work with our lay brothers and sisters—I repeat—in the various ministries, to agree on how to channel our efforts to do good, and then also with our pastors. We are in a local Church and we also walk in harmony with the pastoral plans of our respective dioceses. This also gives us the space to feel like one family, moved by one Spirit, walking to sow goodness, to be pilgrims of hope, as we are also called to be.

It is a very concrete means. It is a space for listening, welcoming, openness, respect, and walking together as brothers and sisters. We do not go alone, we go together. We know we are together, we know we are in harmony, we know we are searching, and this synodal journey offers us the perfect space.

As consecrated life, as a congregation, we are in the best position to do everything possible to live this synodal spirit."