Dearest Sisters,
During these days we have experienced the enlightenment phase with three very interesting presentations that guided us in our reflection by shedding light on the theme of the Chapter.
The first paper was presented by Fr. Luca Peyron, a priest of the Archdiocese of Turin, on the theme Hoping and Proclaiming the Gospel in the Time of Intelligent Machines. In today’s digital age—where we constantly ask what technology creates and what it unravels—he reminded us that “the great vocation is to become human.” Machines can never replace creative thinking, meaningful dialogue, or authentic relationships. “Technology reveals the human person and raises questions about how we live and act,” he said. “We have something good and profound to offer, the Gospel, but we must communicate it in a new and accessible way. That is the cultural task before us.” He added, “Artificial intelligence is no longer just a technology but an environment, and for that reason it must be evangelized. Everything that humanizes, evangelizes.” Fr. Luca concluded with a challenging question: “Do we seek a different world, or do we seek more for this world—so that, in meeting us, people may also encounter the God who calls them by name and saves them?”
The second paper, Effatà, was presented by Sr. Jolanta Kafka, R.M.I. The word Jesus used to heal the deaf man is not “I open you,” but rather “Be opened.” This “be opened” embraces many dimensions of the human person. “How important it is,” Sr. Jolanta said, “for you, who by your charism are women of the Word, who communicate the Word written, read, sung, visualized, made into art… But I ask myself: how can we renew ourselves in this call to ‘be open,’ so that we can truly hear the voices of humanity and the world? We must learn from God to communicate like God.” She then guided us, in light of the synodal experience, to reflect on listening: listening as an act of faith, to discern the voice of the Spirit; mutual listening, because everyone is called to speak with freedom; inclusive listening, hearing all voices without exclusion; prayerful and contemplative listening, in silence and prayer; communal listening that discerns what God is asking of the Church today; missionary listening, listening so that we may walk together. She concluded: in an assembly called to serve the congregation, Effatà is a key word for discernment—and all of this is for the renewal of the Church’s mission: to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In fact, as the Synod reminds us, “the Church does not have a mission; it is mission.”
The final paper, Integral Formation in the Light of the Gospel of Hope, presented by Sr. M. Bernardita Meraz Sotelo, Superior General of the P.D.D.M, focused on the holistic formation of the Pauline sister: “The central point of the entire formative journey is the person, with her life story. Integral formation, at every stage of life, is essential for growing harmoniously within God’s plan. During formation for consecrated life, it is fundamental to learn to form oneself beginning with an awareness of one’s own history. This means courageously and faithfully going back to the past of our lives and uncovering the roots of our wounds, so that in the process we become responsible for ourselves, without blaming others for our defeats, frustrations, anxieties, or emotions. Integral and ongoing formation is a path of transformation; it is a laboratory of life and for life.” With pedagogical wisdom, Sr. Bernardita warmly invited us to do a few practical exercises, allowing us to experience the truth of her words: the awareness of our being and our humanity, and the conviction that “we grow in the measure that we relate to others, learning to offer welcome, attention, and affection, but also to receive appreciation, gratitude, and support.”
As we begin the discernment phase on the future path of the congregation, we continue to ask for your prayers, thanking you for your nearness and your affection.
Sr. Julieta Stoffel and Sr. Livia Sabatti
Ariccia, September 23, 2025
