Opening of the General Chapter 2024

Yesterday, Barbara Dawson opened the XXXVII General Chapter of the Society of the Sacred Heart 2024.  Here is her invitation to the chapter:

“The desert experience gave us the theme for this chapter – COURAGE, CONFIDENCE, and TRANSFORMATION, THROUGH THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT. Are we going to allow ourselves as a body to be transformed? How is the fire of the Spirit giving us new energy and, at the same time, the courage to let burn things that we need to let go of? Will we give direction for a future that is truly “of the Spirit”, not for our own sake or for survival, but to live our mission for the sake of God’s people in a continual process of transformation, to live our vocation as religious women in the church? …

… I invite each RSCJ throughout the world to participate in this 37th general chapter through prayer and attention to what will happen during these days. It is a sacred moment, a privilege and a responsibility.” (Extract from the Opening Conference of General Chapter 2024)

A Eucharist was then celebrated, presided over by Father General Arturo Sosa of the Society of Jesus. Here is an extract from his homily:

“The Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus is born from a charism. It is a charism like the charisms of other institutes of consecrated life, and the immense variety of lay charisms, and the charisms of service from authority that animate the mission entrusted to the Church. Recognizing, deepening, renewing the charism that you have received as your specific and necessary contribution to the mission of the Church is one of the responsibilities of the General Chapter that meets periodically. Your discernment in common during these weeks together requires the sensitivity to scrutinize the calls that the Spirit stirs up in the charism received … and to let yourselves be guided by them.”

This first day was an opportunity to give thanks and for the capitulants to prepare for this chapter.

Watch the slideshow and see the photo gallery below.