The culmination of five days plenary of International Union of women Superiors General of different religious congregations from all over the world concluded on May 6, 2022. There were 520 sisters attending the plenary in person and another 200 by online. The theme: Embracing Vulnerability on the Synodal journey, as well as various theological inputs affirm the commitment of the leaders to the process of synodality and to embrace a journey of vulnerability which is vital for the renewal of the church, religious life, and our own congregations.
photo: Sr. Josephina D'Souza SAC
Sr. Josephina D’ Souza, our superior General took part in this event at the Hotel Ergife in Rome. This plenary brought a strong sense of communion and bond among the leaders of the congregations. All the participants expressed that they need more time to study this theme in detail. However, there was a clear call for a paradigm shift in the approach to leadership — for transformation, not just change. The shift is to be more respectful, more inclusive, and less hierarchical.
photo: Sr. Josephina D'Souza SAC
The women leaders met Pope Francis at Paul VI Hall for a table conversation. He called the attention of the congregational leaders to the process of synodality which is a way to affirm the original intentions of the founders of religious congregations while meeting the needs of a rapidly changing world. At the end all the participants joined together to make a UISG plenary commitment which reads ‘I commit myself to live vulnerable synodality through service as a leader, animating it within the community, together with the people of God’.
photo: Pallottine Superiors General - Sr. Josephina D'Souza SAC and Sr. Ivete Garlet CSAC
We also CONGRATULATE Sr. Josephina, our Superior General who is elected to be in the Executive Board of UISG for three years.
On the morning of 29 April 2022, the new General Administration team met for the first time with that of the Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate (CSAC). Our Superior General, Sr Josephina D'Souza SAC, had invited to our Generalate where the meeting took place in an atmosphere of sisterly communion. We first gathered in the chapel, just as Mary did with the Apostles in the Cenacle after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. 
photo: Sr. Beata Matuszewska SAC
Sr Ivete Garlet CSAC, Superior General, moderated the meeting. After each had introduced herself to the group, there followed a brief review of the meetings of the two General Administrations. From her own experience, Sr. Ivete began by recalling the meetings that had taken place since 1995. All the others joined in and shared their experiences of meetings between the two Congregations at different levels. This reflection made us aware of the long common history that we already share. 
photo: Sr. Beata Matuszewska SAC
Afterwards, the issues at hand were discussed and decisions were made on how to move forward – in preparation for Pentecost, the foundation date of both congregations, in the discernment process on the reunification of both congregations and on matters of the UAC.
photo: Sr. Beata Matuszewska SAC
This first meeting ended with lunch together with the Sisters of the Procura Generale community.
O Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, in this time of trial we turn to you. As our Mother, you love us and know us: no concern of our hearts is hidden from you. Mother of mercy, how often we have experienced your watchful care and your peaceful presence! You never cease to guide us to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
The sixth ordinary General Assembly of the Union of the Catholic Apostolate, with the theme Synodality: journeying together as People of God, was held from 13- 20 March 2022 at the Generalate of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters in Rome. There were about 40 participants together with the three Superior Generals of the Core communities of the Union. Some of the members participated online. The joy was that at last this great event was possible to take place.
The inaugural Holy Eucharist was celebrated by the Ecclesiastical Assistant, Fr Jacob Nampudakam, SAC. At the introduction to the Mass the President, Donatella Acerbi, read the message which Cardinal Kevin Farrell sent for the Assembly, in his message he invited the Union to make its own the three central fundamentals of the Synod: encounter, listening and discernment.
“As the Lord has forgiven you
so must you also do.” Colossians 3:13
Rome, Lent 2022
Dear Sisters,
Lent is a privileged time of grace to reflect anew on the saving power of Christ on the cross. It is a profound journey to experience the love of Christ sustaining us on our way towards the intense joy of Easter. To encounter this joy, we are called to put on the new nature to be persons renewed in the likeness of God (Eph 4:24). This invitation for the transformation helps us personally to restore full communion with Christ by sharing intimately in the mystery of his Death and Resurrection.
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
FOR LENT 2022
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Lent is a favourable time for personal and community renewal, as it leads us to the paschal mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For our Lenten journey in 2022, we will do well to reflect on Saint Paul’s exhortation to the Galatians: “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity (kairós), let us do good to all” (Gal 6:9-10).
February 2022
Rome
▪ On 2nd, at St. Peters Basilica, Pope Francis presides over Mass on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which also marks the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life. In his homily Pope invited all consecrated people to “renew our consecration, asking what it is that moves our hearts and actions, what renewed vision we are being called to cultivate. He said, God wants us to cultivate daily fidelity and to be attentive to the little things entrusted to our care.”
