Every six years, the canonical visitation is made to the various hospitaller presences around the world in order to foster the restructuring of the various communities and to grow as a congregational body, promoting the hospitaller mission that our founders began. With this objective in mind, this 2023 we have traveled to Africa under the following motto: “On the way… Together… We keep the lamp of hospitality burning”.
The first part of the trip began last March 8, the feast of St. John of God, when the Sisters of the General Government traveled to Maputo (Mozambique) to grow as an “African” congregational body and, at the same time, to analyze the situation of the sisters, communities and apostolic works in the different countries where we are present.
On the other hand, between May and June, the second part of this canonical visitation took place. On this second trip, the Superior General, Sr. Anabela Carneiro, traveled to Africa accompanied by the General Councilors, Srs. Léontine Ngo Mbock, Blanca Guerrero and Begoña Pérez; and by the Delegate for Africa, Sr. They visited the communities of Liberia, Ghana, Togo, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.
These visits seek to maintain and revive the efforts made by our founders from the beginning: to promote and encourage fidelity to the Gospel, the directives of the Church and the Hospitaller charism; to watch over the mission; to create a family atmosphere in the Congregation through letters and visits; and to help in fraternal communion with the Provincial Superiors and Councilors in matters within their competence. (C. 124).
In the case of restructuring in Africa, it is a matter of considering the continent as a single reality and not so much as part of the European provinces to which it belongs. In other words, we want to be one body, the body of Christ, which is made up of various members, who are equally important, but who have different function according to the needs of each situation.
As the motto of this visit says, “On the way… Together… Together… We keep the lamp of hospitality burning”. Guided by Mary, First Hospitaller, we will reach Jesus, the Good Samaritan, and, thus, we will be able to bring his love to all people and continue the mission to which God calls us and which our founders began.
