Press release

Rome, 14 November 2023 - "Synodality: A Renewed Call to the Prophecy of Hope." This is the theme of the residential meeting scheduled to take place from November 22 to 24, 2023, at the "Fraterna Domus" Spirituality House in Sacrofano (Rome), organized by the executive councils of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Union of Superiors General (USG).

The event, which will see the participation of over 250 Superiors General, evenly distributed between male and female religious leaders, marks the first joint meeting of the two unions. It is a response to the shared desire of the unions to continue walking together. The two unions, no strangers to joint initiatives, have intensified their collaboration since their online reflection on Pope Francis's encyclical "Fratelli Tutti". They also made a joint contribution to the first phase of the synodal process in 2022.

During the November meeting, Superiors General will address the challenges of religious life in the contemporary world, focusing on the ability of religious communities to promote synodality as a way of life and on the call to be prophetic bearers of hope in today’s world.

Sister Mary T. Barron, Superior General of the sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles and President of UISG, emphasized the significance of this meeting, stating that it "can give new impetus to the synodal journey together, helping us to imagine new possibilities, calling us to live out our responsibilities, to continue the synodal path to deeper communion, to wider participation and to an ever more fruitful mission with all members of the Church. The possibilities are infinite.”

Father Arturo Marcelino Sosa, Superior General of the Society of Jesus and President of the USG, added "It will be a joint meeting that will allow us to know each other personally, pray together, and open ourselves to the grace that the Lord wants to give to the Church through religious men and women," and he urged the participants not to miss the opportunity to "think together about how to best unite energies and resources to serve the mission of Christ."

The event represents a moment of hope and commitment for religious life, offering participants the opportunity to share ideas, discern together, and renew their commitment to create an increasingly synodal Church.

For more information, please contact the UISG Communication Office at comunicazione@uisg.org and the USG Office at segretariogen@usgroma.org.