A PIECE IN A STAINED-GLASS WINDOW
(My experience of the General Chapter 2024 by Sr. Migs Vedua, ra of Asia Pacific Province)
I came to the General Chapter 2024 (GC24) conscious to enter it like it is a new chapter of my journey. As I relish the many encounters of the past 30+ days, it’s a challenge to choose a single significant experience to share. If only many Sisters in the Province would also experience the grace to be part of this historic event in the life of the congregation. But I am assured that many communities were following the newsletters, videos, photos and updates of the General Chapter. Thank you for being in communion with us; we felt the power of your prayer. I could sense that many of us, if not all are in the same movement with the Church towards building a more synodal congregation.
I’m a first timer and among the many significant encounters of the GC24, these are my top 3:
First is the process of coming up with the GC24 Orientations. It was in the spirit of “building the bridge while walking” or in school innovations we call this, “building the plane while flying it” where I could feel the spirit of boldness towards the new that the Spirit is calling us at the same time anchored on our roots and charism and attentive to the signs of the times. As St. Marie Eugenie would put it “living the special grace of our time”.
My second highlight is the discernment process that each one had to go through in order arrive at a decision for the election. We had the preparation, silence and prayer, structured small group murmuratio and the one-on-one murmuratio so as to come up with the sondage/ sounding — simply put the “list of names of possible Sisters for election”. The act of placing the of the Blessed Sacrament was like for me a picture I watched on TV of the conclave; a serious responsibility. It was not easy but indeed the Holy Spirit is in-charge. I am deeply grateful for the new General Council for their great generosity and availability to serve the congregation in the next 6 years. It’s so moving to see and hear Sisters like Francoise, Sandra and Rekha who are not new in the General Council but unconditionally giving their Yes without counting the cost. I promised to pray for them; let us pray for them and if called to help in our little way to share in carrying the responsibility with them in the same spirit of synodality.
Lastly, I cherish the experience of living the richness of our diversity as an international congregation. I am most grateful to know a little more the Sisters & lay friends and get a glimpse of their life in the different provinces. There’s so much joy, belonging, solidarity and oneness among us. Praying in different languages, sharing and listening in different languages, working in language groups or sometimes mixed groups, having snacks and connecting with the other in my broken French or sometimes having to call for help for translation; eating meals at times among predominantly Spanish or French speaking table but you always feel welcome because someone will step up to translate for you and the feeling of having formed closer bonds with our Sisters especially from India which is a good continuation of our continental journey.
I hold immense memories in my heart. Like what I shared at the closing paraliturgy — my experience can be symbolized by a piece of a stained-glass window. One piece may be insignificant by itself but put together with the rest of the pieces, together we reflect the magnificence and beauty of our Creator who works in and through each one of us. I pray to continue to allow the Spirit of God to let His light shine through my journey, our journey to daily metanoia, prophetic mission and culture of care in our being co-authors with God, writing our new story. Always, all for Jesus in Jesus.