We are 13 formators and vocational animators, coming from six different nationalities. We met in December to participate in the course promoted by the General Government and we are accompanied by Sr. Lucia Piai (General Councilor for Formation) and Sr. Cristina Lee (General Councilor for the Lifestyle area). For us it is an immense wealth to be able to experience internationality and sharing among us.
As a pilgrim travels through different stages to reach his destination, we too set out on the journey, with trust and hope. We experienced a strong time of novena in preparation for Christmas, animated by the sisters of the different nations and accompanied by the typical foods of each cultural reality.
Observing the course of a river, we certainly consider that there is a source and that without it the water would not exist. As we retrace our life as Pastorelle, we also think of the sisters who preceded us, who transmitted the charism to us and who are witnesses of the faithfulness of the Shepherd God.
Thus, on December 19, we visited the older sisters of Albano Casa Madre and prayed with them. In the following days we went to Verona and Negrar (December 21-23). For each of us it was a joy to be able to meet our sisters who lived and knew the Founder. A profound experience in seeing the creativity and testimony of a life given with joy and faithfulness.
Returning to the symbolism of the pilgrim, who does not walk alone, we also walked together as a Church, participating in the opening of the Holy Door, at St. Peter's Basilica (December 24).
On December 26 we arrived at the Casetta di Albano, a place prepared and designed for the course. The sisters of the Provincial House and the Mother House welcomed us with much affection and joy, our gratitude to them!
From December 28 to 31 we experienced some dynamics of knowledge and deepened some aspects of spiritual discernment, guided by Sr. Marta Finotelli. From January 2 to 4, the presentation of the synthesis of the responses to the General Plan of Formation and Studies took place, the result of the participation of all the Circumscriptions, with the guidance of Sr. Aminta Sarmiento Puentes, Superior General, Sr. Cristina Lee and Sr. Lucia Piai, General Councilors.
On January 5th we made the pilgrimage to the Papal Basilicas, moderated by Sr. Irene Tollini and Sr. Rosa Tucci. In addition to crossing the threshold of the Holy Door, and walking the streets of Rome, it was an opportunity to discuss our lives, the lights and shadows that we experience on the journey of life.
And finally, on the feast of the Epiphany, we had the official opening of the Course for Vocational Formators and Animators, with the Eucharistic celebration presided over by Don Domenico Soliman, Superior General of the Society of Saint Paul, who reminded us that "nothing can live without light. We too are invited to let ourselves be illuminated by the Light that is Christ". It is necessary to strip ourselves of the old man and put on the new man, who is Christ, and be a sign of Jesus the Good Shepherd among the people of God. This is the formative path for each of us.
And our journey continues, as pilgrims... We thank the superiors of our circumscriptions for having granted us this opportunity and we are certain and confident that you will continue to accompany us with your prayers.
For the group,
Sr. Verena Atanasio, sr. Uezineire Ribeiro da Silva e sr. Rosilene de Lima, sjbp
Comments