Meeting of Local Superiors: Deepening Leadership and Revitalization
From May 3 to 10, the first Meeting of Local Superiors organized at the congregational level by the Hospitaller Sisters is being held in Guadarrama (Madrid), under the theme “On the Path of Revitalization: Service of Animation and Hospitaller Governance.” This experience brings together 24 local superiors from seven circumscriptions, accompanied by the Superior General, Sister Idilia Mª Carneiro, together with sisters from the General Government.
Continuing the formative journey of the meeting, on May 5 and 6 the participants explored the theme “Leadership in Consecrated Life Today,” guided by the Claretian religious priest Gonzalo Fernández, CMF.
During the Eucharistic celebration on May 5, Father Gonzalo invited the sisters “to interpret the finest melody on the staff of life, where Jesus is the key,” a reflection that set the spiritual and experiential tone of the sessions.
The work carried out over these two days focused on responding to the challenges facing consecrated life today, through a dynamic and participatory methodology that encouraged dialogue, listening, and the sharing of experiences in the service of animation and hospitaller governance.
Throughout the different sessions, it was emphasized that “it is not enough simply to restructure; it is necessary to revitalize, innovate, and strengthen one’s own charismatic vitality,” while always maintaining an attitude of ongoing discernment and gratitude for the gift of the hospitaller charism.
May 6 was especially dedicated to reflecting on how to lead processes of institutional change and on the keys to exercising synodal leadership through participation, accompaniment, and shared work. The personal and group dynamics helped participants reflect on the importance of discovering and valuing each sister’s gifts, symbolically welcoming “their five loaves and two fish.”
The sessions concluded with a deep sense of gratitude for this opportunity to continue walking together in a process of revitalization of hospitaller life and strengthening the service of animation and governance within the Congregation.
