By Sujata Jena
Manila, March 18, 2023: A zonal meeting of the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary has resolved among other things to care for victims of religious intolerance and those living without hope.
As many as 20 delegates from Asia, Pacific and United States attended the March 13-17 assembly themed “Together be Bread for the World” at Manila, capital of the Philippines. They came from Indonesia, India, the Philippines, and the United States.
The assembly also reiterated the congregation’s commitment to serve the poor and vulnerable, women, children, youth, and migrants.
They resolved to grow in the knowledge of and commitment to reparative Eucharistic adoration as the congregation’s ministry in the Church.
The Sisters in the zone will also care for the “common home by” adopting the policy of Recycle, Reuse, Reduce, Refuse, and Repair.
The nuns will accompany young people in their human development and spiritual growth and help promote vocation for the congregation.
The Sisters in Asia will look for possibilities to open new communities in unreached areas to respond to the greater needs of the people.
Sister Irene Barboza, the superior delegate of the zone, in her opening address said, “We are still living with the cultural effects of covid. Greater rates of violence, depression, suicide, supply chain, and social and economic challenges are the consequences to name a few. To be Bread for the World all that entails is our entire being- to become what Jesus, what He did, and how he transformed Himself for the life of the World.”
The Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, an international congregation of religious men and women, was founded in 1800 in France.
Sister Aurora Laguarda, the vicar general of the sisters from Rome, and Father Pankras Olak Kraeng, the provincial of Sacred Hearts Fathers in Indonesia, also participated in the assembly.
The assembly decided that the sisters would work closely with the priests and brothers to preserve the charismatic identity of the congregation.
The Sacred Hearts Brothers and Sisters will organize an Asian youth gathering in February 2025 in India where they will invite young people to discern their call. It is also to mark the 50-year presence of the Sacred Hearts Fathers in India.
Sister Laguarda congratulated the zonal members for organizing a fruitful assembly. She also thanks the members for reaching out to people even during the Covid pandemic and all through its long effects.
The assembly ended with the silver jubilee celebration of Sister Anastasia Tuti Pastuti, the first Asian Sacred Hearts Sister.