Salesian nuns reflect on signs of hope amid pandemic

By C.M. Paul

Rome, Sept. 25, 2021: The 24th general chapter of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, popularly known as Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco, is now underway in Rome.

The Salesian Sisters, one of the largest Catholic religious congregations of women, was founded in 1872 at Mornese, Italy, by Saints John Bosco and Maria Domenica Mazzarello.

As many as 172 delegates from all the five continents are attending the September 17-October 24 chapter in Rome. The Asia-Oceania region is represented by 37 delegates, including 14 from India.

They represent 11,535 sisters who serve young people and women in 97 countries. They work through 72 provinces and 5 pre-provinces that manage a network of some 1,400 institutions catering to more than 1,618,540 young people and women in almost 10,632 various educational activities and youth ventures. As many as 65,816 lay collaborators assist them.

The chapter members study, pray, explore and discuss the chapter theme: “Communities that generate life in the heart of contemporaneity” with the Scripture text from St. John’s Gospel: ’Do whatever He tells you’ (Jn 2:5) guiding them. “To re-awaken the original freshness of the Institute’s vocational fruitfulness,” is the objective of the Chapter.

“The Institute walks as an ‘outgoing’ Church, letting itself be illumined by the Magisterium of Pope Francis, networking with various groups of the Salesian Family, with other religious congregations, with ecclesial and civil organizations at the international, national and local levels,” says Sister Chiara Cazzuola, moderator of the chapter.

“The working document follows the method of discernment proposed by Pope Francis. It is a way of walking together, looking at reality in three interdependent phases: Recognize, Interpret and Choose,” Sister Chiara added.

The working document is divided into three main nuclei – Vocational Community – A Yes renewed over time, Synodal Community – Synodal style as at Mornese and Missionary Prophetic Community – Mornese in Outreach; rightly journeying with the Church towards the Synod on Synodality.

“It is an intense time of study and reflection, of sharing and research together in the Commissions and sub-commissions. We breathe synodal air, generative life, and we share expectations and dreams,” says chapter delegate from Shillong province Sister Celine D’Cunha who has just completed two weeks into the chapter.

Putting the chapter theme in the Indian context, Sister D’Cunha says, “We are preparing for the celebration of the centenary of the FMA presence in India in 2022. It is a time to be reborn, to discern, to renew oneself, to dream, to revitalize, to become Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello for millions of children and young people who ask us for a significant presence and fruitful accompaniment.”

Sister D’Cunha affirms the contribution of her nuns in India saying, “We are a force, more than 1,500 sisters in 7 Provinces, 107 novices, 230 communities. We still have vocations, we take care of children, young people and women in difficult situations through diverse educational ventures, discerning continuously to live the charism of our founders, in creative fidelity, making it relevant according to the signs of the times.

There is growth, there is life, there is vitality. The Sisters in India and Asia have a lot to offer to the Salesian world to enrich the Salesian charism in spirituality and mission.” She expressed the expectations of the Indian Sisters saying, “We want the FMA world to appreciate our Indian culture, our resources, our spiritual experiences – deep silence and contemplation, our ability to take risks and challenges in favor of young people and women with creative fidelity, our capacity to give and not merely to receive.”

While acknowledging the contribution of the pioneer Sisters of the institute from overseas, who brought the Salesian spirit and charism to the nation, Sister D’Cunha did not hesitate to say, “Now is the time to give, and we are committed to reciprocating the gift because we are one Family.”

Second time delegate at the world meeting D’Cunha added, “We are committed to taking courageous steps, to planning the future together to “accept the challenge of living the religious tolerance, peace, cooperation, and harmony that have always characterized the country.”

Stressing the priority of her congregation in India D’Cunha says, “(We) network as an FMA Institute, together with the Salesian Family and all those who are committed to work in favor of young people and children who live in situations of hardship due to Covid-19 or at risk, such as girls, women, migrant workers, and students in search of a better future.”

One of the most important responsibilities of the chapter is the election of superior general and the general councilors, for which there will be a week-long discernment process, scheduled to be held from October 3-10.

The chapter started off with Eucharistic celebration presided over by former Rector Major of the Salesians Father Paschal Chavez Villanueva, substituting the present Rector Major, Father Ángel Fernández Artime, who was unable to be present because of the death of his father.

In the presence of Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and all the participants of the Chapter, Mother Yvonne Reungoat, superior general, solemnly inaugurated the chapter inviting everyone to live it as a charismatic and Pentecostal event.