2nd group of Spiritual Exercises

"It is necessary to reclaim the importance of the heart when we are assailed by the temptation of superficiality, of living hastily without knowing why. [...] By not giving due value to the heart, we also devalue what it means to speak from the heart, to act with the heart, to mature and heal the heart."

(Pope Francis, Dilexit nos, 2.11)

From July 10th to 18th, 19 Little Shepherd Sisters participated in the 2nd annual Spiritual Exercises of the Jesus Good Shepherd Province. They were days of great grace, experienced at the Bom Pastor Inn – Terceira Légua, in Caxias do Sul. The theme that guided us was "Let us become integrated, missionary, and vocational communities," part of our General Objective, which we pray and deepen year after year.

With great depth and openness, we received guidance from Sister Maria Inês Costa Carniato, of the Daughters of St. Paul – Pauline Sisters. We felt the joy of communion in sharing the same Family, the Pauline Family, which, in its diversity of "flames," helps to bring Christ the Master Shepherd to all parts of the world.

We experience this time, as Pope Francis wrote: a favorable period for connecting with our hearts, giving deeper meaning to our lives and mission, for Jesus the Good Shepherd is our Center, He who calls us each day to be His Little Shepherdesses.

During all these days of silence and prayer, we were graced by Eucharistic Celebrations, presided over by the Capuchin Friars.

In this special time of grace, we prayed, bringing to mind the Communities we are part of, those in need, and the needs of the Congregation, the Church, and the world. We are grateful to all who also prayed for us and, especially, to the Capuchin Friars who were present during these days.

May this year of "Hope" shine in our hearts and lead us ever more confidently to Jesus, Master Shepherd, Way, Truth, and Life.

Sr. Ana Paula Salton, sjbp