Spiritual Exercises – Caxias do Sul/RS

Christ the Good Shepherd, the Risen One, who shapes us each day.

Building fraternal relationships and a synodal church.

From January 10th to 18th, 2026, the Annual Spiritual Exercises took place at the Bom Pastor Inn, Terceira Légua – Caxias do Sul/RS. Seventeen sisters from various communities of the Province participated. The theme was: “In the Synodal Church”, guided by Friar Laércio Duminelli da Luz, OFMcap. This theme was chosen in light of the General Objective of the six-year period (2023-2029), which the Little Shepherdesses Sisters seek to deepen every year in prayer and reflection.

These were days of revitalization and strengthening of prayer and journey, starting from the encounter with the Risen Christ who guides and leads the way. All moments of the retreat were based on the final document of the Synod, proposing to embrace the invitation made to the Church to be synodal, always keeping the Risen Jesus Christ as the foundation, so that all relationships may be transformed, seeking to improve life and pastoral mission.

Every day we had Eucharistic Adoration, an opportunity to place our lives and personal realities before the Lord. The journey always concluded with Eucharistic Celebrations, where, in addition to the Friar's reflection, there was always space to share the prayer and reflection made throughout the day.

We thank God for this time of grace in our lives, for the presence of Friar Laércio, who was a brother among us; and to all the people who prayed for the success of these Spiritual Exercises. It is with joy and faith that we begin this new year of 2026, and also a new spiritual year, in which we are called to grow in our relationship with Christ the Good Shepherd, the Risen One who shapes us each day, so that, with his grace, we may build more fraternal relationships and a Synodal Church.

Sr. Olma Rotava, sjbp