Interview with Sr. Sabrina Pianta, Superior General, Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth, during the UISG - USG Joint Meeting (Nov. 22-24, 2023).

I was fortunate to have a sister from our Congregation  at the synod, Sr. Elysée Izerimana, a Burundian nun, so we received first-hand news. Obviously, she could not share details during the synod, but she did provide a few photos and impressions. 
During this assembly, we heard many testimonies. What struck me the most was the profound experience of the Holy Spirit. 

Beyond the discussions - even the summaries that were shared - there will still be a synodal journey in the Church leading up to 2024. 

However, what truly resonated with me was the presence of the Holy Spirit. I realized that while we often invoke the Holy Spirit, the key is to create space to allow the Spirit the freedom to act and guide our lives and the Church. It seemed to me that this synodal assembly was a powerful experience, and this sentiment applies to the entire Church.

"Prophets of hope": these words are beautiful, but it is not easy to embody them. This morning, the Pope provided us with two insights on prophecy: the ability to look towards the future and in some way anticipate it, and the skill to interpret the present. I believe that the challenge for religious life today, as well as for all adults, from politicians to us, is interpreting the present moment, understanding the emerging reality, and discerning where the Lord is leading us.

There are signs of hope all around us; I think of the many young people who are dedicated to good causes and the abundance of goodness in the world. However, sometimes these signs are obscured, as if we are wearing dark glasses that prevent us from seeing them. In my view, one of our responsibilities in religious life is to uncover these signs of hope, nurture them, and help them flourish. But the first step is to make them known because they are there; goodness exists.

I often think of the many young people involved in volunteer work and the countless lives dedicated to doing good. 

It is a new reality to work together with the Fathers and Mothers General, because it is the first time that this joint meeting has taken place. It is a very beautiful sign, above all it is a symbol of equal dignity in the Church: there was the Cardinal, many priests, many brothers, but here we are all equal and I think it is an important sign for the Church, for this journey - which the Pope also invites us to take - where women and men are together and therefore man is not the figure, the paradigm of humanity, but it is men and women who walk together. This is a sign, a small but significant step.