CHARISMATIC FAMILY AND SAFE ENVIRONMENTS

The Eucharist, along with the prayer of Lauds, started the day of our chapter work. Once again, in the plenary, sisters and lay have opened our ears to identify consonances and discern important questions in view of the chapter agreements.

Throughout the day, some topics that required additional information, precision, or clarification were discussed. Thus, we were all able to hear something about what it means to be a charismatic family, which prompted questions and reflection.

Another topic that has recently been illuminated and discussed in the plenary is “safe environments,” which allow human life to be protected, develop, and flourish. There has been discussion about the need to move forward with the processes and steps necessary to make it a congregational reality.

The beautiful prayer prepared by lay people and sisters from the Province of America led us to contemplate the face of one of the participants with the intent to find the presence of the Church, our Beloved, in his/her presence. At last, by joining our small pieces of fabric together, we created a single ribbon that connected the two parts of the scapular. This now remains with us as a symbol of Mary’s protection and intercession as our Queen, Sister, and Mother.