Dearest Sisters,
First, we thank you for your closeness and the prayers you offer for us. We are 57 sisters from 50 countries, joyful to be here together, to meet, to get to know one another, and to work side by side for the present and future of our congregation, representing the 1,783 sisters from around the world.
We are happy to reach out to you with this first bulletin regarding the General Chapter we are now living. We began with four days of spiritual exercises guided by Daughter of St. Paul Sr. Anna Matikova, on the theme “May You Be a Blessing.” Journeying through the story of Abraham, our father in faith, we were led to recognize God’s way of acting in history and to discern His will. This attitude of discernment was also highlighted by our Superior General, Sr. Anna Caiazza, at the opening of the Chapter: “Today we speak a word of blessing over the opening of our General Chapter, as we look back at the path we took to prepare for it and now step forward, trusting and humble, into a journey of grace for the entire congregation. The world, humanity, is in deep need of blessing. And we, too, need blessing, so that boldness may grow in us to proclaim the gospel of hope and to be, in the corners of the world, a blessing: a blessing of peace and gentleness.”
On Saturday, September 13, we elected the Chapter Officials, and the next day we entered the central phase of the Chapter with a presentation on the reality of the congregation by the Superior General. Sr. Anna opened her report with a look at the world and the Church through the eyes of Pope Francis and Pope Leo, emphasizing that the thread linking their pontificates is restlessness: “that evangelical tension which does not let up, but invites us to keep walking.” This kind of restlessness, good, healthy, evangelical, fruitful, “is a lens through which to read the theme of the Chapter itself: Driven by the fire of the Spirit, listening to today’s humanity, we proclaim the Gospel of hope.” Sr. Anna concluded: “Apostolic restlessness makes us generative, forward-looking, open to a future rooted in hope and new beginnings; it makes us communicators of the Gospel of hope.”
That evening, after dinner, we met with Fr. Domenico Soliman, Superior General of the Society of St. Paul. We had a rich conversation on Pauline life, sharing the desire to walk ever more closely together as one Family.
On September 15, the Bursar General, Sr. Annamaria Gasser, introduced the economic situation of the congregation, providing a global perspective and offering us insights and criteria for analyzing and sustaining our apostolic works.
In the days ahead, each circumscription will present an experience that was developed through deep listening to local realities and in response to a cry or call from their people—ways in which we are communicating the Gospel of hope.
Let us continue to remain united in spirit. Grateful for your sisterly support and your prayers, we send you our warmest greetings,
Sr. Julieta Stoffel and Sr. Livia Sabatti
Ariccia, September 16, 2025
