The visit of Superior General Sr. M. Bernardita Meraz Sotelo to India from 2nd September to 2nd October, and the General Counsellors Sr. Kanikai Mary Issac, and Sr. M. Louise O’Rourke from 2nd September to 25th October, was a time of Grace, Healing, Inspiration and Unity for the Province of India. After their arrival, the first two days were spent in an intense formation and listening to the Provincial Government. After this, they travelled to various communities, engaging deeply with the sisters and the young in formation through animation sessions, personal meetings, and fraternal encouragement. Their visit was a powerful moment of connection between the Centre and every individual sister.
Since their stay in India was short and they couldn’t travel to all the communities, the sisters of the province were grouped into eight zones according to their geographical proximity. The first two meetings for the sisters from the south were held in Bangalore, and then they moved to Mangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Mumbai, Jamshedpur, Delhi, and Guwahati.
In each of these places, they encountered the diverse realities of the Church in India and the culture of the place. They also had an opportunity to meet with the bishops of the place and interact with the senior clergy in Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Mysore where our sisters render their services. It was also a joyous moment for them to meet with some of the family members of the sisters in the local places.
On 8th September, they also took time to celebrate the Name of Mary, the feast day of the sisters. They shared in our daily prayers and engaged in community dialogues, fostering a strong sense of belonging and mutual support. Their words and presence emphasized the need to be present to ourselves and the people of God through the ‘Four Stars’ that guide the Congregation’s journey in this present time.
We the sisters of India are grateful to Sr. M. Bernardita Meraz Sotelo, Sr. Kanikai Mary Issac, and Sr. M. Louise O’Rourke who have left an indelible mark on the hearts of the sisters, igniting a revitalized spirit that will surely benefit our communities and ministries in the days to come. Since Sr. M. Bernardita has not met all the sisters we await her revisit to India with Faith and Hope.
The service of the fraternal visit to the Indian Province with humility and joy, ended on a hopeful note, with a renewed commitment from the sisters to fortify their spiritual lives, strengthen the integral Formation and advance the Congregation’s mission across India with renewed vigour.
