As Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, seeking to enrich the unity of our Church, we join in prayerful conversation with other consecrated religious around the world. We see a future that seeks to answer: How is our “journeying together” happening today in your local and global Church? What steps does the Spirit invite us to take in order to grow in our “journeying together”?

Updates on the Synod

September 26, 2024: The second session of the 16^th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, will be held in Rome from October 2^nd to 27^th preceded by two days of spiritual retreat on September 30 and October 1 at the Vatican, guided by meditations from Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe and Benedictine Mother Ignazia Angelini. The goals of the numerous listening groups and dialogues during this three year journey has been to identify the paths we can follow and the tools we might adopt in our different contexts and circumstances in order to enhance the unique contribution of each baptized person and of each Church in the one mission of proclaiming the Risen Lord and his Gospel to the world today. This is … an invitation for reflection on the concrete forms of the missionary commitment to which we are called, that express the dynamism between unity and diversity proper to a synodal Church.” (Toward October 2024)

These goals mirror our IHM chapter goals using similar methods that lead to personal and communal transformation for our Congregation and for the Church. Let us keep the Synod in prayer during this month of the Assembly. Let us especially remember in prayer each member of the Synod especially the Religious Women from around the world who are voting members or consultants.

Read about Women Religious who are voting members of the Synod on Synodality and sisters who are participating as theologians, experts or facilitators: https://www.globalsistersreport.org/sisters-involved-synod-synodality

A brief summary of details of the October Assembly of the Synod: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2024-09/synod-presentation-2nd-session-grech-hollerich-ruffini.html

Official Synod Documents & Biblical, Theological and Spiritual Synod Resources: https://www.synod.va/en/resources/documents.html

August 29, 2024: The Synod on Synodality continues. You may be asking what impact it has on us as consecrated religious and what impact do woman religious have on the synodal process.

Pope Francis invited the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive for its life and mission. By journeying together and reflecting together on the journey that has been made, the Church will be able to learn through Her experience which processes can help Her “to live communion, to achieve participation, to open Herself to mission.” This theme is very consistent with our IHM Convocation implementation themes.

In a significant move towards shaping the future of the Catholic Church, the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Union of Superiors General (USG) have released their 2024 contribution to the ongoing discussion on “How To Be A Church In Mission?” This collaborative effort on behalf of consecrated religious responds to questions posed by the General Secretariat of the Synod. The synthesis is worth reading:

Opportunities for Learning and Participation

Conversations on the Synodal Assembly 2024: This series of meetings hosted by the International Union of Superiors General (IUSG), offers an important opportunity to deepen and reflect together on fundamental issues concerning consecrated life and the synodal path of the Church. The UISG continues its journey towards synodality and invites all superior generals and sisters from around the world to participate. The meetings will include moments of dialogue and discussion to give voice to all participants and to build together a more aware and participatory future.
Dates: September 9, 17, and 26
Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM ET (2.30 PM to 4.30 PM Rome time)
Format: In-person at UISG headquarters and online via Zoom
Languages: Italian, French, English, and Spanish
Registration Link: https://uisg.net/Conversations_Synod_2024
Justice Conference of Women Religious (JCWR) Join justice promoters, sisters, and associates in mission for a 75-minute session on the UISG-USG report, JPIC (Justice, Peace and integrity of Creation) themes, and next steps we might take individually, congregationally, and collectively. Two options (content repeated, register for ONE):
Session I
Date: September 11 @ 3:00 -4:15 PM ET
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsdeqhpjgsE9MME2dQRWk2HhVPWfqeS_mA#/registration
Session II
Date: Sept. 19: 12:00 -1:15 PM ET
Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkfuytrDorEtL-eouunm6JZs1-rMIoWmB9#/registration
Session III
Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 2:30 PM (Rome time)
Register here:
uisg.net/Conversations_Synod_2024