"This is a process of growth that will enable us, with all the meetings, to walk in synodality."

Sr. Jolanta Kafka R.M.I, President of UISG

On March 14, through a first online introductory meeting, the assembly process that the International Union of Superiors General has organized for its XXII Plenary Assembly has begun.

The Superiors General, almost 500 from 60 countries, discussed and reflected together on the themes that characterize the synodal journey: vulnerability and synodality.

After an introduction and a moment of prayer led by Sr. Paula Jordão, FMVD who invited the Superiors General to reflect on their strengths, talents and abilities, the afternoon continued with the intervention of Sr. Jolanta Kafka R.M.I, President of UISG.

She explained the transition between the previous edition of the Plenary Assembly and the current one emphasizing the importance of research, together with the Church, of the deep meaning that the call of the Spirit has and indicating the way forward during the assembly journey: "We have to consider the embrace as listening to what our congregations and the many people affected by this pandemic feel in order to totally born - again sisters and brothers and vulnerability as the need we have for each other, aware that the paradox of fragility is that when we welcome it, we strengthen ourselves."

The beginning of the group work was sanctioned by a stimulating phrase of Sr. Jolanta: "With hope and joy, we begin our journey" and, thanks to the input provided by Sr. Mary Barron, OLA, the Superiors General were divided into linguistic groups, reflecting together and elaborating ideas starting from a question: "What does it mean for me to embrace vulnerability?".

The Superiors General then discussed issues such as:

-  What are our different forms of vulnerability?

-  What would it mean for us to lead from a place of vulnerability?

-  What would it mean to let go of some of our privileges?

-  How can we be a source of hope for the world?

The afternoon ended with a comparison and an exchange of answers and arguments emerged within each working group that will continue in the second online meeting on 4 April 2022.

Next meetings:

The second online meeting will be on the 4^th of April 2022 from 1 to 3:30 pm (Rome time)

The in-person meeting in Rome will be from the 2^nd  till the 6^th  of May, 2022

The third online meeting will occur on July 11^th from 1 to 3:30 (Rome time)

Visit the UISG Plenary website

Look at the photos of the first online meeting