On the path of revitalization. Service of Hospitaller animation and governance
The II Congregational Meeting of Local Superiors, held in Ciempozuelos from May 18 to 23, concluded after several days of reflection, listening, discernment, and fraternal fellowship around the theme: “On the path of revitalization. Service of Hospitaller animation and governance.”
During the third and final part of the meeting, the superiors had the opportunity to reflect together on charismatic Hospitaller leadership, deepening their understanding of how to exercise the service of animation and governance from the Congregation’s own identity and in fidelity to the received charism.
The reflection sessions were led by Sister Anabela Carneiro, former Superior General, and Sister Begoña Pérez, Vicar General, who accompanied the participants through three fundamental perspectives: the experience of our founders, the Congregation’s own legislation, and the path marked out by the most recent General Chapters.
Sister Anabela helped deepen the understanding of the human and spiritual attitudes present in our founders, viewed from the perspective of leadership. Her reflection made it possible to recognize in them both a model and a source of inspiration for continuing to live the Hospitaller mission today through faith, dedication, humility, courage, and trust in God.
For her part, Sister Begoña reflected on what the Constitutions and the Directory say about the service of authority and governance, beginning with the principles that involve all the Sisters in the life and mission of the Congregation. She also invited participants to recall and renew the key priorities and commitments assumed in the General Chapters since the year 2000, which continue to illuminate the exercise of leadership, authority, and co-responsibility at the present time.
The celebration of the Eucharist also accompanied these days as a space of communion, thanksgiving, and mission. On Thursday, May 21, the celebration was presided over by the parish priest of Saint Mary Magdalene in Ciempozuelos. During the Eucharist, thanks were given for the second anniversary of the election of our Superior General, Sister Idília Maria Carneiro, coinciding as well with Vocations Day.
On Friday, May 22, at the beginning of the novena to Our Mother, the Eucharist was presided over by Monsignor José María Avendaño, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Getafe. This moment allowed the Congregation’s journey of revitalization and restructuring to be placed under Mary’s protection.
As the closing of the meeting, on Saturday, May 23, the participants shared a joyful and fraternal day, with the opportunity to visit El Escorial and conclude the day at the Mother House. There, the Sending Eucharist was celebrated, presided over by Monsignor Ginés Beltrán, Bishop of Getafe, as a sign of communion and encouragement to return to their communities with renewed hope.
The meeting concluded with a deep sense of gratitude for this opportunity for reflection, encounter, and fraternal sharing among Sisters from different realities within the Congregation. We give thanks for the fruits perceived during these days, trusting that we may now offer them to our communities and with the commitment to live them out through co-responsibility, an appreciative outlook, and fidelity to the Hospitaller charism.
With this trust, together with all the Sisters of the Congregation, we place ourselves in the hands of Mary, Our Mother, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mother and Teacher, asking her to continue accompanying the journey of revitalization of our Hospitaller life and mission.
