Rome, 6 January 2024
Object: Launching the preparations for our 12th General Chapter
Dear Sisters,
We celebrate today the Solemnity of the Epiphany, in which the Church celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the peoples of the whole world, represented by the Magi. Let us allow ourselves to be fascinated by the courage of these wise men, who do not hesitate to leave their lands and embark on a long journey to discover the mysterious “King” announced by a star. We are challenged by their faith, which knows how to find and recognize the incarnate Son of God in situations of poverty and hiddenness, far from the palaces of Jerusalem and the castle of Herod.
In this liturgical setting, permeated by a message of peace and universal hope, I send you the first official communication regarding the preparation for the 12th General Chapter.
This event takes place in a very difficult time for the world, where there is an increase in conflicts, within and between peoples, but also a search for “stars” that indicate the way to peaceful and solidarity-based resolutions to the problems that afflict the societies of today.
We are encouraged in this quest by the appeals the Church is making to humanity through the magisterium of Pope Francis, particularly in the encyclical Fratelli tutti and in the apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum. We feel we are participants in the journey of the whole people of God – marked by the phases of the Synod on synodality as the form the Christian community wishes to take on in this third millennium – and we move forward as pilgrims of hope toward the celebration of the Jubilee of 2025.
Thus this time of preparation for our General Chapter is a time of grace.
Let us remember that the Chapter is the supreme authority of the Congregation, exercised in a collegial and temporary way in accord with the Constitutions. Its purpose is to study more profoundly the charism of the Institute, to evaluate the Congregation’s journey, to deal with general problems and to set down lines of action for the future. It also has the duty of electing the Superior General and her councilors (cf. Const. 165).
After having consulted the circumscription superiors during the Interchapter Meeting in 2023, the General Government has taken a number of steps regarding the celebration of this event.
Date and location
The 11th General Chapter will be held at Ariccia, Italy and will begin on 7 September .
Preparatory Commission
The Preparatory Commission, appointed by the General Government, consists of:
Sr. Bruna Fregni | General Councilor
Sr. Clarice Wisniewski | General Councilor
Sr. Nadia Bonaldo | Generalate
Sr. Gissela Galarza Mendoza | Delegation of Perù-Bolivia
Sr. Beatrice Iguem | Delegation of West Africa
Sr. Melba Grace Lobaton | PMPT Province
Facilitator
The work of the Preparatory Commission will be accompanied by Sr. Tiziana Merletti, of the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, former Superior General, an expert in canon law and engaged in counseling consecrated women and leadership training. She also has extensive experience in accompanying General Chapters. Sr Tiziana will be with the General Government this coming January 26. We will discuss with her our reflections on the Chapter, arising from our experience, the expectations expressed by the sisters encountered especially during the Fraternal Visits, the suggestions of the circumscription superiors, and the methodology, to ensure the involvement of the whole Congregation, in a spirit of communion and participation.
More precise information will be given to you by the Preparatory Commission, which will meet in Rome this coming February.
I am sure that the superiors will collaborate with the Commission to ensure that its various requests are accorded great attention and that the replies are sent in to us as quickly as possible.
Convocation of the Provincial Chapters and Delegation Meetings
The Institute’s Provincial Chapters and Delegation Meetings will be officially convoked in June 2024. Every circumscription will be invited to set the date for its Chapter or Meeting, which should take place in the timeframe from October 2024 to the beginning of February 2025. In due time, we will send you directives regarding the convocation of these events.
Official Convocation of the 12th General Chapter
Our 12th General Chapter will be officially convoked in February 2025. At that time a list of all the sisters who will participate in the Chapter will be posted, along with directives concerning immediate preparations for the Chapter itself.
Dear sisters, let us begin this new stage of our history nurturing the desire to encounter God and the women and men of our time, in the richness and multiplicity of languages and cultures.
The light of the Word will be our star and sure guide to recognize, in the signs of the times and of places, the seeds of the Word who even today pitches his tent among us.
Affectionately,
Sr. Anna Caiazza
Superior General
