By Matters India Reporter
Panaji, September 4, 2019: Three Indians are among 60 delegates attending the 11th general chapter of the Daughters of St Paul that begins September 5 at Ariccia in Italy.
“Arise, Go on your Journey Trusting in the Promise” is the theme of the chapter that takes place every six years. The chapter to be held at Divine Master Retreat House, an hour drive from Rome, will elect a new superior general before it ends on October 5.
After inaugural Mass and introduction on the opening day, the delegates will undergo a spiritual exercise from September 6 to 11.
The election of the general government of the 104-year-old congregation is scheduled for October 1 to 4, ending with an audience with Pope Francis. The delegates come from 10 provinces, 16 delegations and six communities that depend on the general government.
The Indian attending the chapter are Sisters Arulmary Susai, the provincial, Anne Plathara, junior directress, and Matilda D’Souza, provincial bursar.
The chapter’s logo symbolizes an invitation to relaunch their lives toward a new missionary and prophetic vitality, according to Sister Annamaria Parenzan, the congregation’s superior general.
“It also underscores variety of the members of the Institute, as well as the universality of the Pauline charism,” she said in a message to the congregation ahead of the chapter.
“This event is being held at a time that is not very easy for all humanity, but it is also a time rich in good and in new opportunities for our mission,” the superior general says.
Explaining the theme of the Chapter, Sister Anna Caiazza, a member of the general government, said, “Arise” is the biblical term for evangelization. Those who evangelize do so on their feet, listening to the concerns of the people and always with joy, she explained.
“It is an attitude of someone who is ready to leave self behind so as to go out to meet others with strength and a passion of interior fire, “ she added. “And the expression “go on your journey” includes dynamism of going out.”
“Trusting in the Promise” invites the members to serve the Lord through history and remain open to its innovations. “It means to interpret the signs of the times as signs of God’s presence in history so as respond to God, who challenges us today,” Sister Caizza added.