5 women religious representing UISG to participate in the First Session of the Synod on Synodality

28/09/2023

News

PRESS RELEASE

Rome, September 28, 2023

5 women religious representing the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and its 2,000 member Congregations counting over 600,000 women religious will participate in the First Session of the Synod 2021-2024: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, and mission” set to take place in October in Rome.

The UISG is grateful to Pope Francis who first invited the UISG to participate in the Synod on the Family in 2014 as auditors. Since then, members of the UISG have participated in each subsequent Synod as auditors. This year UISG has an additional reason for expressing its gratitude since it is the first time its representatives will fully participate as members in the Synodal process – engaging in the conversations in the Spirit, offering feedback to be included in written documentation, and in voting.

The UISG participants in the upcoming General Assembly of the Synod are:

UISG President, Mary Barron, OLA
UISG Executive Secretary, Patricia Murray, IBVM
Elizabeth Mary Davis, RSM
Elysée Izerimana, Op. S.D.N.
Maria Nirmalini, A.C.

UISG President Sr. Mary Barron states in a larger declaration released on the participation of the UISG in the upcoming Synod, “We respond with joy to Pope Francis’ call to participate in the Synod of Bishops and to commit ourselves to the ecclesial journey of the Synod on communion, participation and mission. We are convinced that religious life, with its experience of community life and discernment, can help the Church achieve this synodal conversion.”

“The news of being selected to participate in the Synod on Synodality came as a total surprise to me, though a pleasant one at that”, Sr. Maria Nirmalini says. “I take it as an invitation to join in the incredible journey of walking together in communion, participation and mission with all His people.”

We hope the presence of UISG at the Synod will be that of bringing a prophetic voice. The UISG has heard the voices of its members who are eyewitnesses to so much of what is happening in our world today. Through the Synod responses we received, and through the synthesis we ourselves contributed to in collaboration with our male counterpart, the Union of Superiors General (USG), we feel we can confidently represent this important aspect of ecclesial life that touches so many people.

For further information, please contact:
UISG Communications Office: comunicazione@uisg.org – WhatsApp +39 349 935 87 44

10/06/2024

Alan Doulton

Dear Sisters; UISG President, Mary Barron, OLA; UISG Executive Secretary, Patricia Murray, IBVM; Elizabeth Mary Davis, RSM; Elysée Izerimana, Op. S.D.N.; Maria Nirmalini, A.C We congratulate you on your appointment as delegates for the Synod in Rome. We would like to share our work done to enhance laity engagement post synod consultations in the Poona Diocese, India. We have come out with a “Parish Administration Booklet” which is a concrete way forward for implementation. We would like send you a mail with details for your perusal. We believe some points may be useful at the global level. Your office email address would help. In the spirit of Synodality. Alan Doulton

18/10/2023

Janice Farnham

The Conversations on the Synod and the updates have been so inspiring and helpful. Thanks to all who are working so hard to bring the Synod and its special gifts to women religious worldwide! What an extraordinary time we are blessed to live into. . . may we walk together into God's future for the church and world. Blessings!

03/10/2023

Marie Matsinger

Prayers and blessings. May your hearts be open to the Indwelling of the Spirit!

30/09/2023

Eilís Coe

How wonderful to have these lovely Sisters at the Synod. They will be accompanied by our love and prayers as they speak for consecrated women at the heart of the Church.

29/09/2023

Bertha Serrano Rodas

Esto sí es Sínodo... participación, comunión, compromiso como Iglesia. Nuestra oración por cada Hermana participante, para que el ES, las ilumine, la Virgen María, las inspire y el Señor, su obra buena.

29/09/2023

Rasoarimalala Josiane

Per migliorare la conoscenza di snodata

29/09/2023

Sister Joan Cook, SC

I’m praying with and for our voting members and all the Synod participants. Come, Holy Spirit!

28/09/2023

MAXIMINA

Gracias porque estaremos muy bien representadas. Es una gracia del Espíritu para toda la Iglesia.

28/09/2023

Geraldine. Mason

RSM. This is a very important moment in the history of our Church. It is a blessed Time

28/09/2023

Julia Arciniegas

Me parece una oportunidad excelente la participación en el Sínodo sobre la Sinodalidad, con el fin de poder difundir sus aportaciones entre las comunidades que lo deseen. Muchas gracias!!!