Spiritual Exercises – Jardim das Pastorinhas/São Paulo

Shaped by the LOVE of Jesus the Good Shepherd

After the beautiful experience of communion that we were able to experience this January, with the 1st Provincial Assembly and the Celebration of the jubilees of religious consecration, the Brazil Province experienced profound moments of prayer and listening to the Lord, with the annual spiritual exercises. There were two groups, one in Caxias do Sul, whose news has already been published, and another in São Paulo, at Jardim das Pastorinhas, from January 10th to 18th, 2026. This group was led by Sr. Sandra Pascoalato, sjbp, and included the participation of 37 Sisters from various communities of the Province.

The theme addressed, "Shaped by the love of Jesus the Good Shepherd," immersed us even more deeply in the General Objective of the 10th General Chapter, which is guiding us throughout the six-year period (2023-2029).

Sister Sandra introduced the theme, inviting us to enter the "Divine Pottery" and then invited us to establish a dialogue with some biblical characters, asking how they were shaped by God: Jesus of Nazareth, Mary, Joseph, Peter, Paul, Jacob, ending with the same question for ourselves and our communities.

Here is the testimony of some sisters about their experience at the retreat:

“Those were days in which, before Jesus the Good Shepherd, I reflected and made decisions that will motivate my life, in community life and in mission. Allowing myself to be SHAPED by Jesus the Good Shepherd, Mary, Peter and Paul is not easy, but it is not impossible either, because I count on the blessings of God, my Sisters in Community

and the people with whom I live.”

Sr. Angela Biagioni

“Starting from the theme, I followed the spiritual itinerary that favored my encounter with Jesus, who allowed himself to be molded by the Father; with the followers that Jesus molded, the disciples... In confronting the Word, the Rule of Life, charismatic texts, I was able to remember how the ‘Divine Potter’ worked and works in me. (...) How the love of Jesus is molding me in the mission, in community life, in the life of prayer, in the formative path. Gratitude for the stay here at the Jardim house, where I had the opportunity to encounter what is essential. And let us continue united in prayer.”

Sr. Lusléia S. Bauer

“My word is gratitude for all these days of blessings and enlightenment for my and our Congregational journey. Sister Sandra was guided by the Holy Spirit to transmit so many inspirations with wisdom. For this retreat, let us give thanks to Jesus the Good Shepherd, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.”

Sr. Rosilda de Lima

“The experience I had was that we are in God's hands, like clay in the potter's hands. Thus I experience the confidence that I will have the grace to live well every day.”

Sr. Amelzia Maria da Soledade Dias

“It was a precious, Kairological time. We deepened the general objective... it is something very profound, vital. I cannot mold myself, but rather allow myself to be molded. Jesus the Good Shepherd molds us according to his plan of love. I am also molded with the help of the sisters of the community. It was a charismatic, profound and inspiring retreat. Deep gratitude to God and to Sr. Sandra for her wise and creative guidance.”

Sr. Inácia Josefa dos Santos

“During these days of retreat, I had the grace to have an experience I had never lived before. Not only a contact with the Word of God, confronting my life, but a direct contact with the various biblical characters, hearing from them how God shaped each one, within their own history and mission, as God himself designated them. I felt like them, as I resumed my path and remembered the moments when God also called me and shaped me with his potter's hands, dreaming and working with the clay to make it a precious vessel. I also understood that I still need to surrender myself entirely so that God can continue shaping me through my relationship and mission with my sisters and the people. I leave this retreat with a grateful heart and willing to let the 'Divine Potter' continue shaping me. Gratitude.”

Sr. Inês Creusa do Prado

“For me, these days of prayer were moments of great grace. I went through the process of allowing myself to be molded by the love of Jesus the Good Shepherd, becoming aware of the goal to be achieved. The challenging image of clay that is transformed into a vessel in the hands of the Divine Potter, allowing itself to be kneaded, molded, and heated, was able to generate in me a process of human and spiritual growth (Jer. 18:1-6). With a spirit of gratitude, responsibility, and belonging, I thank God and the

Province of Brazil for this opportunity to walk together".

Sr. Uezineire Ribeiro da Silva

In conclusion, each Sister can briefly express herself, sharing what she took away from these days of spiritual exercises, which we carry into our lives, in the communities in which we are involved.

We also share with you a poem that Sr. Sandra composed as a synthesis of this historical moment that we experienced as a Province. To her, our gratitude for her availability and dedication in guiding us during these days of prayer!

PoesiaSandraPascoalato.pdf

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