Reading the signs of the time and looking at reality, are two dispositions which led the Congregation to seek how to simplify its government and governance structures and foster a Web of Relationship among its members and with the outside world. The Sisters of Charity of St. Louis are present in nine countries. To continue to promote life and its mission the Congregation has chosen to go from the Status of Province to that of Apostolic Zone in 2024.
Our demographic situation, 409 Sisters, calls for apostolic creativity. The mission is active everywhere, but it varies, depending on our stage of life. We have reached the moment of transmitting from the Global North to the Global South. We are deeply grateful to the Lord who continues to call to initial formation 12 pre-novices, 22 novices and 45 temporary professed Sisters at the moment.
The theme of the 25th General Chapter is, “Called by Christ, humbly involved in this world, “let us go across to the other side”(Mk4:35). Our 25th General Chapter will be held in Brittany, France, from July 28th to August 15th, 2024. The Sisters from the various Vice-Province/Provinces are already preparing for that event. Various crossings were identified.
In 2019, Pope Francis said that it was imperative to: “Re-invent the Global Compact on Education” and in October 2020, he launched The Compact. The International Union of Major Superiors hurried to prepare a Webinar entitled The Global Compact on Education.
“To be a compact, there must be at least two persons”, the Pope said. The General Superior, Sister Alberte Piché wanted to attend the Webinar; she asked SCSL active members to join her on this virtual venture from November 12-14. There were 8 of them: 1 Canadian, 3 Haitians, 2 Malagasy, 1 Malian and 1 Senegalese. It is a key moment for SCSL’s whose “mission involves works in education and in human development in the social and spiritual spheres”.
Now, those Sisters are ambassadors who they told us what animates them: “The dignity of human beings is at the heart of my vision. I want to respect diversity”. “I want to make the youth aware of the importance of relationships, to help them appreciate the elderly…” “I want to show that life has meaning only when given to others”. “I want to enhance respect for differences, acceptance of one’s own culture and appreciation of differences in others, to encourage them to see others as companions on their journey and not as threats".
"Never before has there been such need to unite our efforts in a broad educational alliance”, the Pope said as he launched The Compact on October 15th. “To educate is always an act of hope”, he said.
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