CHRISTMAS 2015 Dear Sisters, “In the fullness of time, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.” (Galatians 4,4-5)

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hristmas is a celebration of God’s merciful love made flesh in His Son, Jesus Christ. As we celebrate Christmas in this extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, we are called to immerse ourselves into the mystery of the incarnation as the revelation of God’s infinite mercy. May this holy year be a graced moment for all of us when we experience profoundly the mercy of God. Having been touched by God’s mercy, may we too, open the door of our hearts so that others, especially those living in difficult situations, may in turn experience God’s mercy through us. This Jubilee Year of Mercy which opened on December 8 of this year, coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. It is likewise an extraordinary time of grace for the Church to “take up the joyful call to mercy once more…a time to return to the basics and to bear the weaknesses and struggles of our brothers and sisters.” 1 The Holy Father earnestly desires that the Jubilee Year be a “living experience of the closeness of the Father, whose tenderness is almost tangible, so that the faith of every believer may be strengthened and thus testimony to it be ever more effective.”2 The blessing of the Jubilee Year is not just for the Church but for the whole world. Today our world is in urgent need of mercy, because of the many acts of violence and the consequences of lack of mercy that confront us. We call to mind our brothers and sisters in war-torn countries, especially in Iraq, Syria and Central Africa, who continue to experience the terrors of violence and misery. The news of the violent attacks in Paris last November 13, shocked and saddened us. Our Sisters in France thank you all for your solidarity and for your prayers. May this Jubilee Year awaken in the hearts of all men and women the desire for conversion and the restoration of peace and hope. I also consider this moment as a special grace from God for our Congregation. As we look forward to our Council of Congregation in January 2016, we find ourselves between two important events in the history of the Church: the closing of the Year of Consecrated Life and the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. This is indeed a great sign from the Lord that mercy should be the hallmark of our consecrated life. 1

Pope Francis, Misericordiae Vultus, art. 10 Pope Francis, Letter to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization 2

Merciful Like the Father The motto of the Jubilee Year is: Merciful like the Father (taken from the Gospel of Luke, 6:36). It is an invitation for us to “follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure (cf. Lk 6:37-38).”3 When Jesus tells us, “Be merciful as your heavenly Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36), he exhorts us to imitate the Father’s mercy in our relationships with each other. Furthermore, he is indicating that we have a model - the merciful love of the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (cf. Lk 15). This is a gift of love that liberates us from the prison of the self and opens us out into a new space, the space of divine mercy. God does not wait for us to go to him, rather, he runs to meet and to embrace us, without any word of reproach. St. Ambrose, in his Exposition on the Gospel of Luke describes this scene beautifully: “He, the Father, runs to you because he already hears you reflect inside yourself, in the secret of your heart.” We are called to show mercy because mercy has first been shown to us. St. Paul makes this clear in his letter to Titus: "But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.” (Titus 3:4-7). The transformation of the heart that moves us to seek out for God’s mercy and eventually to confess our sins is a fruit of grace. It is God’s gift, freely given, not because we deserve it, but because of His great love for us. The story of the sinful woman in the house of Simon, the Pharisee (cf Lk 7:36-50) illustrates this reality clearly. The woman’s experience of the compassionate gaze of Jesus, his forgiveness and his merciful love moved her to approach the Lord and humble herself before him. Her every gesture manifested how “she loved much” because she had been forgiven much (Lk 7:47). In contrast, Simon, the Pharisee, was not able to truly welcome Jesus in his life. He failed to see the truth and even to recognize who his guest was, because of his judgment of the woman. This Christmas, as we welcome the gift of the Merciful Father in his Son, let us contemplate on the many occasions when the Lord gazed upon us with merciful love and chose us, so that we can adopt it as our lifestyle and eventually become channels of God’s mercy to others. At the same time, let us beg the Lord to transform our judgmental attitudes that tend to look only at the surface of things and people rather than focus on the heart. Mercy as Forgiveness “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”(Mt 5:44). Jesus calls us to this extremity of behavior because that is how the Father has dealt with us, sinners, and we must imitate him. Our Merciful Father is full of tenderness, who makes the sun shine on both the good and the bad and makes the rain fall on both the righteous and the unrighteous (cf Mt 5, 45). True love does not depend nor can it depend on what we receive from others. Love must want the good of the other independently of what he does for me. This is how God’s love is for us, and this is how we must also love. The mercy of God is “not an abstract idea, but a concrete reality,”4 so too, our mercy must be expressed in concrete actions. Forgiveness and loving our enemies are the clearest expressions of merciful love. St. Augustine also says that “the highest form of almsgiving is to pardon those who have wronged us.” Christ came as the Prince of Peace, and the greatest gift we can give him this Christmas is the offer of our forgiveness to our enemies and genuine reconciliation, especially to our Sisters in the community. 3

Description of the Logo, www.im.va. Pope Francis, Misecordiae Vultus, Art. 6 5 Book of Life, art. 38. 4

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This is a favorable time to intensify the beautiful practice of asking pardon from the community when we recognize that we have failed in charity. Let us take this opportunity during this Jubilee Year of Mercy to have the “courage to pardon and to love ever better in truth,”5 thus, making our communities oases of love, peace and unity. Mercy as Generosity “Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you do for me.” (Mt 25, 40). Love of God and love of neighbor are inseparable. To suspend our judgment and condemnation of others are not sufficient to express mercy. Jesus asks us also “to forgive and to give.”6The merciful goodness of the heavenly Father is evident in his immense generosity upon us, especially in his attitude toward the lost. In this Holy Year, we are likewise called to open our hearts to those living in the fringes of society.7 The merciful goodness that we manifest toward our fellow human beings springs from the experience of the gift of mercy that we have received from God. We are impelled to show mercy among the least and the poor, because God has been merciful to us in the first place. Jesus awaits us in the poor and the suffering. His flesh becomes visible in the flesh of the wounded, the persecuted, the suffering, the poor, the sick, the refugees, the malnourished, the ignorant… During this Jubilee Year, the Holy Father also exhorts all Christians to rediscover the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.8 This call takes on a special meaning for us who have chosen to embrace a life of selfgiving love and generous service. By virtue of our consecration, we are “in mission,” called to manifest to the world the love of Jesus by our way of being and acting. There is no doubt that in our particular mission areas, we are doing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. But what we need to look into is the quality of our service and the manner with which we do these works of mercy. Do we experience what St. Augustine calls “soreness of heart”? Misericordia literally means “when someone else’s misery or sorrow touches and pierces our heart.”9 For example, when we offer bread to the hungry, do we offer sympathetic kindness or do we do it contemptuously? Can we “go out of ourselves to assure a quality of presence and availability, accepting willingly to be disturbed and to sacrifice our personal time for love of the poor?”10 The doors of charity are also open during this Jubilee Year and we are invited to make a “pilgrimage” to refugee centers, prison cells, hospitals and homes of the elderly, the abandoned children, and the handicapped. Make this Year of Mercy more meaningful by visiting our elderly and sick Sisters, and all those who are not able to enter the holy doors. Faithful to the words of Fr. Louis Chauvet, “My ordinary charities to the poor will be continued…,” let us together walk the path of mercy, and continue serving the poor with compassion, seeking out the lost, bringing the Good News of God’s merciful love to everyone. To walk the path of mercy is to walk in the truth. It is my ardent wish and prayer that this Holy Year be a moment of grace and spiritual renewal for all of us. May Mary our model and Mother of Mercy accompany us in our journey during this Holy Year so that we may experience the fullness of divine mercy. Our Sisters Assistants, Secretary and Bursar join me in greeting you all a Blessed Christmas and a Peaceful and Merciful 2016! We assure you of our prayers and affection.

Superior General 6

Misericordiae Vultus, art 14. Ibid, 15. 8 Ibid. 9 Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization, Mercy in the Fathers of the Church, 22. 10 Capitular Acts 2013, 23. 7

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Every year, the Generalate welcomes with joy the new members of the international community. This year, there are six additional Sisters, who started their studies this past October either in English at the Angelicum or in Italian at Urbaniana. Out of the six Sisters, three are Juniors who are at the same time following the International Juniorate Program under the guidance of Sr. Ma. Lourdes Casas.

The following are the newly appointed Superiors: Sr Rosa Eung Hi JEONG

Séoul

Sr Agnès de Ste Anne NGUYEN Thi Tri

Mytho

Reappointed Superiors:

The New Sisters are the following: 1) Sr. Anna Felicie NGUYEN Thi Truc Ly, from the Province of Hong Kong, 2) Sr. Thérèse NGUYEN Thi Thien Kim, from the Province of Saigon 3) Sr. Maxima Sang Hyo CHO from Seoul Province, who arrived last March, but went to Perugia for her Italian language studies before the start of her course in Urbaniana.

Sr Maximilien CHIBA

Japan

Sr Catherine de Sienne RASOANATOANDRO Madagascar

The Juniors are: 4) Sr. Maria Madalena TJONG, 4th year Junior from the Region of Timor Leste, 5) Sr. Elisabeth TRUONG Thi Minh Thi , 2nd year Junior from the Province of Hanoi 6) Sr. Marie NGUYEN Thi Huan, 2nd year Junior also from Hanoi Province.

Sr Teresa Lau

Australia

Sr Veronique VALLAT

Switzerland

The Council of Congregation will be held at the Generalate from January 18—February 10, 2016. This Assembly of Major Superiors is convened “once between two General Chapters for the purpose of consultation, participation, and the sharing of information for the good and greater unity within the Congregation.” (Book of Life, Article 103). Hence the theme of the gathering is the same as the 2013 General Chapter: Alive in the Word, Let Us Be Light! There will also be two spiritual renewal sessions in Rome and France, on the following dates: May 8June 14, 2016 and September 2-October 8, 2016. We ask you to join us in spirit and prayer during these upcoming events, so that we may discern and follow the Spirit’s lead for the good and the future of our Congregation.

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Leaving Rome June 10, 2015 for the canonical visitation to Canada, Mother Maria Goretti, accompanied by Sister Brigitte SAVAGE went to see the Sisters of the Province of Quebec, visiting 14 local communities where a warm reception was reserved for them. The commitment of the Sisters, their animation with such dynamism in different sectors, show their eagerness to know the Lord, by being close to the people in the peripheries, where they help the people to see how beautiful life is. On the occasion of the community assembly, the 85 years of foundation on Canadian soil were commemorated with creativity and simplicity. The Sisters reviewed the history of various "founders" while keeping "the journey of the disciples of Emmaus" as a backdrop. Of these 85 years, we remember that our founding Sisters in this country were filled with trust in God; they went forward boldly, freely giving of themselves, despite the obstacles encountered along the way. June 29, the feast of St. Paul, was chosen for celebrating the First Profession of four young Vietnamese Sisters who received their initial formation in Quebec, as well as the renewal of vows of four young professed. At the same time, we honored nine Jubilarians, having 50, 60, 70, or 75 years of commitment to the Congregation. The concelebration was presided by Bishop Jean Gagnon, Bishop of Gaspé, who invited the young Sisters to walk in faithfulness and the joy of the Gospel. His homily was filled with gratitude to all the Sisters who work in the diocese, especially towards the SPC present in great number. Mother Maria Goretti and Sr. Brigitte were delighted to stay in Quebec, enjoying these pleasant highlights until July 21, days that were lived in a beautiful fraternity, getting to know one another and being grateful. Then they went to the other end of Canada, where our Sisters in Vancouver, British Columbia, as well as those from Alaska, were all waiting for them. They all belong to the Province of Taegu, Korea and had gathered together to live a moment of sisterly support, a time filled with kindness and joy. Our Korean Sisters involved in the parishes show a remarkable interest in teaching the catechism, and providing support to families and individuals in need. Pastors and parishioners that confirmed the generosity and enthusiasm of our Sisters in their various commitments. It was with a heart full of thanksgiving that they made their return to Rome on July 11.

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Mother Maria Goretti LEE, accompanied by Sr. Mary Ann LAURIN visited England November 3 - 9, 2015. The main purpose of this visit was to see the new community opened in October, 2015 in the Diocese of Lancaster, England. We were invited by His Excellency, the Most Reverend Michael G. Campbell OSA, Bishop of Lancaster, to come to an area that currently has no other religious community - the village of Grasmere. There the two Sisters, missionaries from Korea and the Philippines, live in a former rectory, and their chapel is the parish church, which no longer is used for parish masses. It reminded us of our beginnings in Levesville.

From October 16 to 24, 2015, Mother Maria Goretti LEE, accompanied by Sr. Mary Ann LAURIN visited Haiti. The itinerary for their time here included visits to the local communities in Delmas, Oriani, Cabaret, Arachaie, Thomassin 25 and Thomassin 29 where the Sisters are active in parishes and schools. In fact, there is at least one school managed by the Sisters in each local community. However, at Thomassin 25 and in Arachaie, there are two schools. We also have one dispensary - in Oriani. One joy of this trip was being able to see that the Sisters at Delmas are now installed in the "proper convent" which was just finished in July of this year, after they had lived in a temporary wooden house for 5 years. We thank Fr. Andrew, CICM priest, who designed the plan and helped in supervising the construction of this convent.

It was a great joy to have a third community in this Region, which had had only two local communities since the closure of Brighton in the 1990's. The ministries of the Sisters are in the process of being organized, but already the witness of their presence is greatly appreciated and they have become acquainted not only with parishioners in the nearby villages of Ambleside and Windmere, but also with neighbors, Catholic and otherwise. In the near future they will participate in various parish ministries and become involved in youth ministry at the Castlerigg Manor at Keswick, England. Besides work with school groups, Castlerigg Manor offers a range of open retreats for young people, families and parishes throughout the year, and members of the team also go out to schools and parishes to serve and support the local Church at specific events and on missions.

The school being built on the site where the previous school had crumbled in the earthquake of 2010 is being built with excellent engineering advice, so as to be more solid in case of future tremors. We thank a Korean benefactor for his contribution to the cost of this school, which should be ready for occupancy in the first few months of 2016. In the meantime, the children continue to attend classes in temporary classrooms donated by benefactors from St Bartholomew Island.

Mother Maria Goretti , Sr. Mary Ann and the two missionaries to Grasmere:

New convent of the Sisters at Delmas in Haiti.

Sr. Ursula LEE (Korean) and Sr. Shienrose Agnes LA TORRE (Filipina)

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SPC CAMEROON CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE (1965-2015) 50 years of presence, 50 years of life! Graces and blessings in gold! The Sisters of Cameroon celebrated 50 years of presence with many activities, culminating in a Mass of Thanksgiving, presided over by Monsignor Samuel Kleda, Archbishop of Douala, President of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, with 5 other bishops. During this Mass Sisters Olive Mariette TIGA AMBOMO, Therese TSOGO MVOGO, and Elizabeth NGA ETOGO made their perpetual profession. Along with the Sisters of Cameroon, in attendance were: Sr. Rose SAMEDI, Superior of the District of Central Africa; Sr. Marie Monique from Japan, Sr. Christine from RCA, and about fifty priests and religious, laity and alumni. In his homily, Bishop Faustin AMBASSA, Bishop of Batouri, traced the engagement of Sisters to serve God and neighbor. He invited all of us as well as our families to follow Christ without turning back or bending to pick up and recover whatever they have voluntarily left behind. In her message of congratulations, Mother Maria Goretti invited us to give thanks for the love that the Lord has shown to each one of us. She told us, "Strive for love and peace each time that violence, wounds, and sufferings increase in our tormented world. Search to build bridges of unity, of trust, announcing joy by your life." She asks us to continue to extend our hands to all those who are in need, and this, during many years to come.

The seed of the Congregation was planted in Cameroon in September, 1965, when, in response to the request of Bishop Jean ZOA, Archbishop of Yaoundé, Sr.Marie Joseph, Sr. Johanna and Sr. Marie Chantal, arrived in Obala to open a school for the education of the girls. These pioneers: in began to offer to the young country girls a framework and opportunity to continue their studies near their home village to become good women, good wives and good mothers. After the installation and the creation of the Middle School in Obala, the Sisters went to other regions: In 1971 to Mbandjock, to help promote literacy of the population coming from the North. They also administered care to patients in the hospital of SOSUCAM. In 1973 to Nkolmebanga, where they formed women, took care of the sacristy, and worked at the clinic. They went to Mindourou in 1986, working with the native Baka peoples to help them integrate into society. A boarding school was built so the Baka children could attend school. In 1976 they opened a clinic in Nkomotou. The first SPC novitiate house was built in 1970 in Obala. In 2015, the District of Cameroon has 25 Sisters: 20 Sisters in perpetual vows (1 missionary in Rome) and 5 temporary professed Sisters, living in 6 local communities. In formation, 1 postulant and 1 aspirant. The District has 2 middle schools, 1 boarding school, 1 primary school, and 2 kindergartens run by the Sisters. 6 Sisters serve in Diocesan ministries and 1 Sister is on the Theology and Pastoral Institute for Religious at the University of Yaounde .

The District gives thanks to the Lord for all the missionary Sisters who came from France, AntillesGuyane, Vietnam, Ireland, Philippines, RCA, Japan and Madagascar and for the immense work accomplished in this miniature Africa. By: Sr Elizabeth Nga Etogo

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The First International Congress was really God’s work. The Holy Spirit was the author of it. There was indeed unity in the diversity of cultures. We all knew and felt that God was there and was happy to be there. During the April 7, 2015 vigil for the opening of the conference for formators, the Secretary of the CICSAL, Archbishop Jose Rodriguez Carballo, ofm, in his homily gave the overview as well as the direction of the Congress. He spoke of three aspects of formation, which are actually three verbs taken from Deuteronomy 32:10-11: "God instructed him, cared for him, and protected him as the apple of his eye." This shows how God, the educator of his people, took care of the ones he found in “a desert land, in a howling wilderness.” To instruct, or educate (ex-ducere), means "to draw out" what a person holds deep within - their limits and potentialities. The limits - so that they can be transformed into potentials, and their potentialities - so that they increase, and come through this educative or formative process growing gradually as persons and in the following of Christ. This act of drawing out is God's doing. He is the One who draws out the beauty that is within us, and he leads us as well to surpass our limits - to go beyond what we thought we could. In this way, beginning in initial formation and continuing throughout our lifetimes, God gradually draws out of us what needs to be transformed and purified, so that we gradually “reach the full stature of Christ”, as St. Paul says to every Christian in Ephesians 4:13.

What is the mission of the formator? (Note: Fr. Michael McGuire, MSSC, in his talk at the conference, preferred the term 'mentor' or 'companion'.) She is a bridge, helping those who enter the formation process to allow themselves to be educated by God, the True Educator. She cares for them, protecting them so that the little ones, following the biblical image from Mt. 7:15, are not devoured by wild birds, or wolves. Yet, even though she nurtures with care and looks after with kindness the Sisters entrusted to her, she must never attempt to take the place of God. If this happens, the delicate work of formation is destined to fail from the start. The second letter of Paul to the Philippians (2:5ff) introduces us to the heart of the formative process and the basic concept of formation. As Archbishop Carballo puts it, this “does not consist only of fundamentally filling in the head with new concepts or ideas”. If this were the case, we would be contributing to the “formation of monsters and not of persons,” as Pope Francis said. Pope John Paul II wrote in Vita Consecrata, citing the text in Philippians that formation consists in “progressively assimilating the sentiments of Christ towards the Father. The aim of the whole formation

process is the transformation of the lover into the beloved… thus becoming Alter Christus.” (VC 6)

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Formation never ends. Even mentors are in formation until death...when “through the mercy of God we will be transformed into the image of His Son.” (Romans 8:29) This is one of the basic objectives in the initial formation, that the candidates realize that formation is continuing and permanent and therefore that they are invited to take full responsibility for the consequences of this tenet. What happens to those who refuse to accept this responsibility with the seriousness it implies, is that they refuse to grow, renounce living life to the full, a life in abundance ( John 10:10), and ultimately renounce being a disciple of Christ . Let us remember that formation needs to touch not only the intelligence, but also the heart (the sentiments) and the hands, because it needs to reach into daily life. Otherwise we cannot talk about "sequela Christi"(following Christ) and we could never see the day that the Gospel is a "forma vitae" (form of life).This process is a journey that goes from LESS to reaching for MORE that includes the CHOICE of what is BETTER over that which is GOOD.

We need to pay attention that we do not expect from those who are starting the formation process that which we are not willing to do, or that we continue to expect of them what was required in our formation many years ago . This would not be a formation process but a real process of initial and permanent DEFORMATION. This really needs to be clear to all consecrated persons because either we are formators or deformers in the community. Our primary mission is to TRANSMIT and WITNESS to the beauty of our CHARISMA/ CHARISM. What then are the characteristics that are essential for a Mentor to have? An excellent formator is someone who combines a good technical preparation with their witness and experience of life. As Jesus did with the two disciples at Emmaus, the formator needs to do everything possible so that the formees speak about their life: about their anxieties, failures, hopes and successes. The formator/mentor cannot always be the teacher, saying: "I know what you are going through, I know..., I know...." Jesus probably knew what Cleophas and his companion were talking about, but He started the conversation by questioning, eliciting, and listening. It is only later that Jesus, the Mentor par excellence, did the interpretation by saying, "Did you not know that…?" The mentor then needs to lead the formees/ others to Christ. This is the most important and delicate mission of the mentor. The real mentor leads the formees/others to a personal encounter with Jesus, the true Architect of Formation. Jesus is the only one who can change the heart, the one who can make sure that the formee, with the collaboration of the mentor, arrives at the same sentiments as Christ, the ultimate objective of formation. SOME WARNINGS The "formator" who keeps the formees dependent on her is not a formator. A formator or mentor who does not take on the commitment to be continuously formed would do the greatest service to formation by relinquishing being a formator!!! One cannot speak of a formative process if it does not enable the formees to make their own decisions in FREEDOM and WITH FULL RESPONSIBILITY. What is the final stage of accompaniment? Jesus did not say to His disciples: "You need to return to Jerusalem," but along the way HE ENABLED THEM to reach the point where they themselves could MAKE THE DECISION to return. With the difficulties faced by mentors daily, it is not only important but very essential that they be women of prayer, knowing that they are only God’s servants.

By: Sr. Ma. Consuelo Celis PHILIPPINES

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Below is a prayer composed by the SPC formators gathered in Rome for the Session in April-May 2015. It brings together elements from the input of the various speakers as well as ideas coming from the group sharing and feedback sessions.

Loving Father, In the awareness of my human limitations and my personal brokenness, I rejoice in the profound experience of your unfathomable love. Full of gratitude for your unmerited choice, I continually sing my thanksgiving for the gift of my SPC vocation and for entrusting your precious ones to me.

Holy Spirit, Fountain of truth, wisdom and understanding Grant me a solid sense of discernment Make me docile to your inspiration and guidance That I may always be sensitive to your movements in my heart and in the hearts of my formees. Thus, we may experience the interior freedom of the children of God.

Lord Jesus, Our master and teacher. You formed your disciples by word and example, Loved us deeply to the point of death. Teach me to how to love my formees as you have loved us, With firmness, kindness and an understanding heart Respecting their level of growth, I pray that your Spirit in me may enable me to reach those whom I find difficult to understand or help Grant me true humility, infinite patience, prudence and right judgment. Enkindle in me an ardent love for the mission and a profound love for the Church and my community, Always radiating joy wherever I am. Let me live in your presence and recognize you walking with me In the joyful and painful encounters. In the breakthroughs and the disappointments Of my own journey as formator and companion. Finding strength and meaning in Your Paschal Mystery Anchored in the Word and the Eucharist So that together with the ones you commission me to walk with, We may become authentic witnesses to Kingdom values And be your light in the world today. Amen. 10

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO PARTICIPANTS OF A MEETING FOR FORMATORS OF CONSECRATED MEN AND WOMEN SPONSORED BY THE CONGREGATION FOR INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE AND SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE Saturday, 11 April 2015

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning, [The Cardinal Prefect] told me how many of you there are, and I said: “But with the shortage of vocations, there are more formators than candidates!”. This is a problem! We need to ask the Lord to do everything possible to ensure more vocations! I thank Cardinal Braz de Aviz for the words he has addressed to me on behalf of all those present. I also thank the Secretary and the other coworkers who organized the Congress, the first at this level to be celebrated in the Church, in precisely the Year dedicated to Consecrated Life, with men and women formators of many Institutes from many parts of the world. I have been looking forward to this meeting with you, for what you represent as educators and formators, and because behind each one of you I see your and our young people, protagonists of a present lived with enthusiasm, and promoters of a future enlivened by hope; young people who, spurred by God’s love, seek in the Church the paths by which to attain it in their own lives. I feel their presence here and I direct an affectionate thought to them.

Seeing you in such numbers one would not say that there is a vocational crisis! But in reality there is undoubtedly a quantitative reduction, and this necessitates even more the task of formation, a formation which truly moulds Jesus’ heart in the hearts of young people, so they may share his own sentiments (cf. Phil 2:5-11; Vita Consecrata, nn., 9, 65). I am also certain that there is no vocational crisis where there are consecrated people capable of passing on, by their witness, the beauty of consecration. Testimony bears fruit. If there is no testimony, if there is no consistency, there will be no vocations. You are called to bear this testimony. This is your ministry, your mission. You are not only “teachers”; you are above all witnesses of the sequela of Christ in your own charism. One can do this if every day one joyfully rediscovers being a disciple of Jesus. This also leads to the need to always attend to your own personal formation, beginning from a close friendship with the one Teacher. During these days of the Resurrection, the word which often resonated within me in prayer was that of “Galilee”, “there, where everything began”, Peter says in his first speech. Things happen in Jerusalem but they began in Galilee. In our life too, it began in a “Galilee”: each one of us has had a Galilee experience, of the encounter with the Lord, that encounter which is never forgotten, often gets buried by things, by work, by fears and even by sins and worldliness. To bear witness it is necessary to often make the pilgrimage to one’s own Galilee, to recall the memory of that encounter, that astonishment, and from there to set out again. But if one does not follow this path of remembrance, there is the danger of just staying there, where one is and, there is even the danger of not knowing why one is there. This discipline is followed by those men and women who want to bear witness: to go back to one’s own Galilee, where we encountered the Lord; to that first astonishment. Consecrated life is beautiful, it is one of the Church’s most precious treasures, rooted in baptismal vocation. Thus it is beautiful to be its formators, because it is a privilege to take part in the work of the Father who forms the heart of the Son in those whom the Spirit has called. At times one may feel this service to be a burden, as if it detracted something more important from us. But this is a mistake, it is a temptation. The mission is important, but it is equally important to educate for the mission, to educate in the enthusiasm for proclaiming, to educate in that passion of going to whatever place, to every periphery, to tell everyone of the love of Jesus Christ, especially to those who are distant, to communicate it to the little ones and to the poor, and to let oneself also be evangelized by them. All of this requires a firm foundation, a strong Christian framework and character which today even families are rarely able to provide. This increases your responsibility.

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One of the qualities of a formator is that of having a great heart for young people, to form in them great hearts capable of welcoming everyone, hearts rich in mercy, full of tenderness. You are not only friends and companions of the consecrated life of those who are entrusted to you, but real fathers, real mothers, capable of asking and of giving them the best. To generate life, to give birth to a religious life. This is possible only through love, the love of fathers and mothers. It is not true that today’s young people are mediocre and ungenerous; they need to feel that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35), that there is great freedom in an obedient life, great fruitfulness in a virgin heart, great wealth in owning nothing. This gives rise to the necessity to be lovingly attentive to the journey of each one and evangelically demanding in every phase of the formative journey, starting with vocational discernment, so that the possible crisis in numbers does not cause a greater crisis in quality. This is the danger.

One of the qualities of a formator is that

of having a great heart for young people, to form in them great hearts capable of welcoming

Vocational discernment is important: everyone, all the people who know the everyone, hearts human personality — be they psychologists, spiritual fathers, spiritual mothers — rich in mercy, full tell us that the young who unconsciously sense they have an imbalance or some of tenderness. form of imbalance or of deviation, unconsciously seek strong structures that protect them, to protect themselves. That is where discernment lies: knowing how to say ‘no’. Do not send them away: no, no. I am accompanying you, go on, go on, go ahead.... As one accompanies the entry, accompany the exit too, so that he or she may find the path in life, with the necessary help. Not with that defense that is bread for today and hunger for tomorrow. The crisis of quality.... I do not know if it is written, but it comes to mind now to say: seeing the qualities of so very many consecrated people.... Yesterday at lunch, there was a small group of priests who were celebrating their 60th year of priestly ordination: that wisdom of the elderly.... Some are a bit ..., but most elderly people have wisdom! The nuns who get up every day to work, the nuns in the hospital, who are “doctors of humanity”: how much we should learn from these years and years of consecration!... And then they die. And the missionary Sisters, who go out and die there.... Look for example at the elderly! And do not only look at them: go and visit them, because the Fourth Commandment counts in religious life too, with these elderly of ours. These too, for a religious institution, are a “Galilee”, for in them we find the Lord who speaks to us today. It does young people much good, sending them to be close to these elderly, wise consecrated men and women: how much good it does! Because young people have a flare for finding authenticity: this does good. 12

Initial training, this discernment, is the first step of a process intended to last a lifetime, and young people should be formed in the humble and intelligent freedom of letting oneself be educated by God the Father every day of one’s life, at every age, in mission as in fraternity, in action as in contemplation. Thank you, dear men and women formators, for your humble and discreet service, for the time given to listening — the apostolate “of the ear”, listening — for the time dedicated to accompanying and caring for each one of your young people. God has a virtue — if one can speak of God’s virtue —, a quality, that is not often spoken of: it is patience. He has patience. God knows how to wait. You too, learn this, this attitude of patience, which so often is in some measure martyrdom: waiting.... When you are tempted by impatience, stop; or by curiosity.... Think of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, when a novice began telling her a story and she wanted to hear how it ended, but then the novice went elsewhere, St Thérèse said nothing, she waited. Patience is one of the virtues of formators. To accompany: in this mission, neither time nor energy should be spared. One must not be discouraged when results do not correspond to one’s expectations. It is painful, when a young man or young woman comes, after three or four years and says: “Ah, no, I do not feel I can; I’ve found another love that is not against God, but I cannot go on, I am leaving”. This is hard. But it is also your martyrdom. And these failures, these failures from the formator’s point of view may foster the formator’s continuing path of formation. If at times you feel that your work is not appreciated enough, know that Jesus follows you with love, and the entire Church is grateful to you. And always in this beauty of consecrated life: some — I have written here, but you see that even the Pope is censored — say that consecrated life is Heaven on Earth. No. If anything it is Purgatory! But go forth with joy, go forth with joy. May you live this ministry with joy and in gratitude, with the certainty that there is nothing more beautiful in life than belonging for ever and wholeheartedly to God, and giving one’s life to the service of one’s brothers and sisters. I ask you to please pray for me, that God may also give me some of that virtue that He has: patience. (Source: http://w2.vatican.va)

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Session of Young Sisters in Rome: Impressions and Imprints

Reflections from the Young Sisters Editors’ note: Many of the personal reflections sent in by the Sisters of the four groups: Vietnamese, Korean, English-speaking, and French-speaking touched on the same ideas, so we decided to combine the items mentioned in common, and also to include some of the personal remarks that were submitted. We thank all of the Young Sisters for their contributions.

We were forty four (44) young religious of 5-10 years of Perpetual Vows coming from 13 countries to the SPC Generalate for The World Meeting of Young Men and Women Religious in the Vatican and for the renewal program organized by Mother General and her Council last September 12 – October 14, 2015.

gift of our religious vocation and for the vibrant presence of God through-out our personal salvation history. We felt blessed and lavished with underserved gifts -- the gift of each one in the midst of our diversity, the gift of community, the gift of prayer, the gift of learning and deeper understanding of our consecrated life and most of all, the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.

Inspired by the theme: "Wake Up the World Gospel, Prophecy and Hope" the Session immersed us in the divine source of Love, filled our hearts with gratitude and inflamed our desire for inner conversion and for the mission. It strengthened our identity and sense of belonging as valued Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres, and opened our horizons to the international dimension of the Congregation. Though we speak different languages and carry with us various customs, attitudes, behavior, and ways of thinking and of doing things, each Sister manifested in her own simple and unassuming ways, the spirit of unity, camaraderie and availability that mark a true SPC community.

The welcoming attitude of the Sisters in the Casa; the love and care shown in preparing our food especially during our days at the Vatican; patiently waiting at the door when we came home late; the smile they never failed to show us whenever we met in the corridor, in the chapel, or anywhere; and the readiness to extend a helping hand whenever we needed one bespeak of the Holy Father’s expectation from consecrated persons in The Year of Consecrated Life: “That the spirituality of communion will become a reality.” (Pope Francis) What Pope Francis told us in Rejoice!, he repeated in his address to us on September 17: "Where there are religious, there is joy!" We were all struck by his insistence on this, and also on his calls to us:

The gift of person and sharing of Mother Goretti, Sr. Mary Ann, Sr. Brigitte, Sr. Marie Madeleine, and Sr. Emily Louise, as well as the talks of Fr. Danny Huang, Fr. Alain Feuvrier and of the speakers at the Vatican, led us back to the important dimensions and essence of our life of consecration— prayer, community life, formation and mission. We were ushered back to recognize and give thanks for the

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To cultivate "the mystique of proximity";

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To develop consistency in our lives;

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To practice mercy and forgiveness

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To "avoid gossip, a bomb that kills the community."

As we were asked at the end of the session to make a plan for living out what we have learned and of sharing it with the young Sisters (and even with all our Sisters) back in our home countries, these are some of the most important ideas we want to share and to live out: In our prayer life: we want to focus on the "mystique of proximity" with God by being women of adoration, and with self by having consistency between our words and our actions.

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In our community Life: we want to show our commitment to the Congregation, by our proximity to our Sisters and to those we encounter, and by being prophets and witnesses by the way we share and listen, avoiding hypocrisy and gossip. In our apostolic Life: we want to witness to the "mystique of proximity" to our co-workers and those whom we serve in the apostolate, and to be prophets, declaring the truth and denouncing evil.

bigger community, the Church; that is why we are united in God and that we should love one another. 

THE CHALLENGE for us young Sisters is to be responsible in keeping the fire of our “burning bush” experiences during the renewal ALIVE. How?

The echoes of the session continue to resound and bear fruit in the ways of thinking and of acting of each sessionist. We would like to share our gratitude for the countless ways and opportunities our Loving and Generous Lord has blessed us. Here are some of the personal impressions and reflections that left lasting imprints in our hearts: 

I no longer live as before. The session has given me the courage to live joyfully. Christ has become the criterion of discernment for my religious life.

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During the session, I had the opportunity to meet many people and to make pilgrimages. Through these events, I have seen the glory of God and my heart is full of gratitude to Him and to the Virgin Mary.

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First, by our very lives—through conscious efforts to let the fruits gathered from the renewal session be seen and enjoyed by our own Sisters in the community, by the people we work with and by the larger community. To “Wake up the World” presupposes that we are awake ourselves! Second, by cultivating joyful acceptance of individual gifts and uniqueness, by the practice of forgiveness, compassion and respect for one another, and avoiding those elements that destroy community such as gossiping, so as to reach out to others in joy and to be a life-giving presence to all. Third, by having COURAGE, GENEROSITY and JOY in living our daily “yes” to God as consecrated women, carrying in our hearts the needs of the whole Congregation, the Church, and the world.

Thanks to the prayerful ambiance at Lourdes, in Levesville, the cradle of our Congregation, and the other holy places, our faith in God, confidence in the Church and in our Congregation have been strengthened. We continue to draw strength from these experiences in times of difficulties and discouragement. Our contacts, meetings with the elderly Sisters in Chartres and their exemplary lives help us to balance our times of exuberance and of rebellion to walk in God’s ways. I rediscovered the roots of my religious life in our Congregation. I experienced going out of myself and changing my vision of the Church. Now I am convinced that I am really a member of a community that belongs to a

The healing grace I received is a source of strength which helps me to desire and to try everyday to create deep fraternity and to live in sincerity in our community life.

Finally, we wish to live concretely a life of poverty and simplicity, most of all to embrace a life of adoration and attentiveness to the presence of God in our life. Lastly, the words of Fr. Louis Chauvet, “I have no greater blessing than to hear my daughters walk in the truth” has become a perpetual imprint etched in the hearts of each us, as we went back to our respective Provinces, Regions and Districts, challenging us to live the essence of our life as consecrated persons and be faithful to our SPC Charism.

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ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS TO YOUNG CONSECRATED PERSONS

Good morning! I know that among the 5000 of you here today, there are some from Iraq and from Syria. I would like to begin with a thought for our martyrs of Iraq and of Syria. Maybe some of you know a few... Some days ago, here in the Square, an Iraqi priest gave me a small cross that a priest who was beheaded for not denying Jesus Christ had in his hand. I carry this cross here... in memory of the martyrs of today, who are more than in the first centuries... May God give us also the grace we need for our little daily martyrdoms. And now, ask me your questions and then let us see.... I thank you. I thank Sara, Maria Giacinta and Pierre. I thank all three of you. Let’s begin with Sara, because you have touched upon a very serious problem, which is comfort in consecrated life: “we must do this..., let’s be calm..., I keep all the commandments that I have to observe here, the rules..., I observe them...”. But that is what St Teresa of Jesus said about the strict, structured observance that takes away freedom. She was an independent woman, so free that she had to go to the Inquisition. There is a freedom that comes from the Spirit and there is a freedom that comes from worldliness. The Lord calls you — and he calls us all — to what Pierre called a “prophetic way” of freedom, namely, the freedom that is linked to witness and fidelity. A mother who is strict in raising her children — “it must be done, it must, it must, it must ...” and who does not allow the children to dream, to have dreams and who does not let the children grow, nullifies the creative future of the child. The children will be sterile. Consecrated life too can be barren, when it is not actually prophetic; when one is not allowed to dream. But let us think of St Therese of the Child Jesus: closed in a convent, also with a Prioress who was not very easy. Some thought that the Prioress did things to trouble her.... However, that young nun of 16, 17, 18, 20, 21 years, dreamt! She never lost the capacity to dream; she never lost the horizon! To the point that today she is the Patroness of missions; she is the Patroness of the horizons of the Church. And what St Teresa called “almas concertadas” [the concerted soul] is a danger. It’s a great danger. She was a cloistered nun, but she went through the streets throughout Spain, establishing foundations and convents. And she never lost the capacity for contemplation. PROPHECY, the ability to dream is the contrary of rigidity. Those who are rigid cannot dream. We think of those great things that Jesus said to those strict people of his time, to the strict consecrated men of his time, in Chapter 23 of St Matthew. Read it. Those are the rigid ones. And observance must not be rigid. If the observance is rigid it is not observance, it is personal selfishness. It is seeking oneself and feeling oneself to be more just than others. "I thank you, Lord, because I'm not like that sister, like that brother, like that one there.... I thank you, Lord, that my Congregation is really Catholic, observant, and not like that Congregation that goes here, there and everywhere...". This is the talk of the overly strict. But you will find all these things in Chapter 23 of St Matthew. Teresa calls them "almas concertadas”. And how can we avoid converting to this? Keep the heart always open to what the Lord says to us; and refer to what the Lord says to us, when speaking to the Superior, the spiritual teacher, the Church, the bishop. Openness, an open heart, dialogue, and also dialogue in community. “But Father, we can’t dialogue because we always quarrel when we dialogue...”. But that is okay! Even Peter, Paul, James, in the early times — read the Acts of the Apostles — quarreled vehemently. But then they were so open to the Holy Spirit that they were able to forgive one another. I am about to say a word that is somewhat difficult. I am speaking to you sincerely: one of the sins that I often find in community life, among brothers, among sisters, is the inability to forgive. “Ah, she will pay for this! I will make her pay for it!”. And this is to sully the other! Gossip in a community hinders forgiveness and also leads to being more distant from one another, to distancing oneself from the others. I like to say that gossip is not only a sin — because to gossip is a sin, and go to confession if you do this.... It is a sin! But gossip is also terrorism! Because someone who gossips “drops a bomb” on the reputation of the other and destroys the other, who cannot

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defend him- or herself, because one always gossips in the dark, not in the light. And darkness is the kingdom of the devil. Light is the Kingdom of Jesus. If you have something against your brother, against your sister, go.... First pray, calm your soul, and then go and say to him, to her: I do not agree with this ... you have done a bad thing...”. However, never, never drop the bomb of gossip. Never, ever! It is the plague of community life! And so a man or woman religious, who has consecrated his or her life to God, becomes a terrorist, because he or she drops a destructive bomb on his or her community.

provisional, for example? In order to remain consistent, choose binding commitments. You, Maria Giacinta, spoke about EVANGELIZATION. An evangelization, you said, that burns in the heart: the desire to evangelize, where the heart is aflame, with an ardent heart. This is apostolic zeal. Evangelizing is not the same as proselytizing. We are not a soccer club seeking members, fans.... To evangelize is not only to convince; it is to witness that Jesus Christ is alive. And how does one bear this witness? Through your flesh, with your life. You can study, you can take courses in evangelization, and this is good, but the ability to warm hearts does not come from books; it comes from the heart! If your heart is aflame with love for Jesus Christ, you are a good evangelizer. But if your heart is not on fire and you only pay attention to matters of organization, which are necessary, but secondary.... And here I would like — forgive me if I am a bit feminist — I would like to thank consecrated women for their witness. Not all, since there are a few who are somewhat irrational! Some have this desire to always be on the front line. Why? Because you are mothers, you have this motherhood of the Church that makes you be close. I remember that in Buenos Aires a hospital was left without Sisters, because only a few elderly Sisters remained and their Congregation was nearing its end ... because all religious institutes are provisional: the Lord chooses one for a time, then he lets it go and creates another; no one is able to continue for ever; it is a grace of God, and some are for that period; let this be clear... these little nuns, the poor dears, were elderly.... And they spoke to me about a Korean congregation: the Sisters of the Holy Family of Seoul. Through a Korean priest, three Korean Sisters eventually arrived to work in that hospital in Buenos Aires, where Spanish is spoken. And they knew Spanish just as I know Chinese: not at all. On the second day they went to the rooms, to the wards. They went to the wards and, with gestures, with a caress,

You, Sara, also spoke of the instability of our sequela. Always, from the beginning of consecrated life to now, there are moments of inconsistency: these are temptations. The first monks of the desert wrote about this and they teach us how to find interior stability, peace. But there will always be temptations, always, always.... The struggle will go on until the end. And returning to St Thérèse of the Child Jesus, she said that one must pray for those who are about to die, because then, in fact, is the moment of greatest instability, in which temptations come forcefully. It is true that culturally we live in a time that is very, very unstable, and also a time that seems to be "a fragment of time": we live in the culture of the provisional. A bishop said to me, a year or two ago, more or less, that a good youth came to him, a good youth, a professional, who wanted to become a priest, but only for 10 years: "then we'll see...". But this happens, it does happen: our culture is temporary. Even in marriages: "Yes, yes, we are getting married! For as long as love lasts. When love is over, bye, bye: you go to your house and I go to mine". And this culture of the provisional has entered the Church; it has entered religious communities, it has entered the family, marriage.... The culture of the definitive: God sent His Son forever! Not temporarily, to one generation or to one country, but to all. To all and for ever. And this is a criterion of spiritual discernment. Do I follow the culture of the

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prepared the food. And then, more than a month later, that man was cured. He was cured. He returned to work. A few days later he and three or four other colleagues who hated priests were leaving work as two nuns were passing by on the street and one of the men swore at them, at the Sisters. And this man punched that man and knocked him to the ground and said: "Say whatever you like against priests and God, but do not say a single word against Our Lady and against the Sisters!". Why do you suppose an atheist, a priest-hater, acted like this? Because he had seen the motherhood of the Church, he had seen Our Lady's smile in that patient nun who took care of him, did the domestic chores in the home, took the children to school and fetched them. Do not forget this, Sisters: you are the icon of Holy Mother Church and of Holy Mother Mary. Do not forget this, and the Church thanks you for this, it is a beautiful witness. And this is closeness, be close, close to difficulties, to real problems.

with a smile.... The sick said: "What lovely Sisters! How they work! How good they are!". "But, did they say anything to you?". "No, nothing". It was the witness of an ardent heart. It is the motherhood of nuns. Do not lose this, please! — Because a nun is an icon of Mother Church and of Mother Mary. You truly have this role in the Church: to be an icon of the Church; an icon of Mary; an icon of the tenderness of the Church, of the love of the Church, of the motherhood of the Church and of the motherhood of Our Lady. Do not forget this. Always on the front line, but like this. Moreover, the Church is the Bride of Jesus Christ — I shall stop talking about the nuns — and nuns are the brides of Jesus Christ, and they draw all their strength from there, before the Tabernacle, before the Lord, in prayer with their Spouse, to bear his message. So do not cut your time short saying, "I must hurry up because there is so much work to do today!"

And the other key word is MEMORY. I think that James and John never forgot that encounter with Jesus. The same was true for the other Apostles. Peter: "You are Peter"; Nicodemus; Nathaniel.... The first meeting with Jesus. Memory, the memory of one's own vocation. In the dark moments, in moments of temptation, in the difficult moments of our consecrated life, return to the sources, remember and recall the astonishment we felt when the Lord looked at us. The Lord looked at me.... Memory.

And you asked me to share my memory, what that first call was like on 21 September of 1953. But I do not know how it happened. I know that by chance I entered a church. I saw a confessional and I came out different; I came out in another way. Life was changed there. And what fascinated me about Jesus and about the Gospel? I do not know ... his closeness to me: the Lord has never left me on my own, even in bad and dark moments, even in moments of sin.... Because we must also say this: we are all sinners. And we say it in theory but not in practice! I remember mine and I am ashamed. But not even in those moments did the Lord ever leave me on my own. And not only me, but everyone. The Lord never

And you, Pierre, used key words: to follow Jesus more closely; close, CLOSENESS; in a prophetic way. I spoke of this, of prophecy, when I answered Sara. And another word that is key in consecrated life is memory. In other words, prophecy, closeness, memory. I have spoken of prophecy. Closeness: closeness among yourselves and with others, closeness with the People of God. A colleague of my father — several colleagues came to Argentina after the Spanish Civil War and they detested priests — once one of them caught a terrible, a terrible infection, with sores, a terrible sickness, and his wife also worked and they had three children. This was brought to the attention of a Congregation,Les Petites Soeurs de l’Assomption, the community of Sisters founded by Fr Pernet. Their work... in those times, after their prayers, was to visit homes where there were difficulties. They were all nurses and they nursed the sick, they took the children to school, did domestic chores, and then at four o'clock in the afternoon they would go home. One of them, the Superior, went [to the sick man's home]. Because it was a difficult case, she said: "I'll go". You can imagine what that man said to this Sister: the most awful curse words. But she was calm, she did her work, dressed the sores, took the children to school,

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leaves anyone alone. And I felt this call to become a priest and religious. The priest who heard my confession that day, whom I did not know, was there by chance, because he had leukaemia. He was undergoing treatment and died a year later. And then I was guided by a Salesian, like you; a Salesian who had baptized me. I went to him and he led me to the Jesuits.... Religious ecumenism! But in the worst moments, the memory of the first encounter has helped me so much, because the Lord always encounters us definitively. The Lord is not part of the culture of the provisional; He loves us for ever, he accompanies us for ever. Thus, closeness to the people, closeness among ourselves; prophesying with our witness, with a heart on fire, with the apostolic zeal that warms the hearts of others, even without words, as those little Korean sisters; and memory, always recall it. And I shall give you some advice: pick up the Book of Deuteronomy, where Moses reminds the people, and remember your own life: “When I was a slave there, how the Lord freed me, and how...”. It is beautiful. At the end, almost at the end of the Book, it teaches how one must go and make an offering at the Temple. It says: “My father was an errant Aramaean…”. Learn to recount your life before the Lord: “I was a slave, the Lord freed me, and that is why I come to celebrate!”. CELEBRATE: when you remember the wonders that the Lord has done in your life, it makes you want to celebrate, then a smile stretches from ear to ear, one of those beautiful smiles, because the Lord is faithful! Prophecy, memory, closeness, an ardent heart, apostolic zeal, the culture of the definitive, `no' to the throw-away culture. And I want to end with two words. One that is the symbol of the worst — I do not know if it is the worst but it is one of the worst attitudes of a religious — to mirror himself, narcissism. Beware of this. We live in a narcissistic culture, and we always have this tendency to mirror ourselves. Say ‘no’ to narcissism, to looking at oneself. And ‘yes’ to the contrary, to what strips away all narcissism, ‘yes’ to adoration. And I think that this is one of the points we must carry forward. We all pray, we give thanks to the Lord, we ask for favours, we praise the Lord.... But I ask you: Do we adore the Lord? Do you, men and women religious, have the capacity to adore the Lord? The prayer of silent adoration: “You are the Lord”, is the opposite of that self-reflection of narcissism. ADORATION. I want to close with this word. Be women and men of adoration. And pray for me. Thank you.

(Source: http://w2.vatican.va)

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“Where there are religious, there is joy!” Pope Francis

Excerpts from the Conferences on Religious Life during the 2015 Sessions at the Generalate Joy as Being True to One’s Vocation — Fr. Daniel Patrick HUANG, SJ

Everyone has a vocation, a call from God. It is not just what you do, your work or your career. It’s about who you are, to become the person you are meant to be by God. God wants us to be loving, free, joyful, and alive. A vocation is not an external imposition, God forcing me to do something, but is really connected to the deepest desires that God plants in my heart. We have many shallow desires and wants. But vocation touches my deepest desire, what makes me most deeply happy. Sometimes we don’t get a job or an assignment we want. Or we are assigned a very difficult, tiring work. A Sister feels capable that she can do more ministry, but is assigned to a household job. There is a temptation: “Sometimes we are tempted to find excuses and complain, acting as if we could only be happy if a thousand conditions were met.” (EG, No. 7) Perhaps the invitation is to go deeper. What is my deepest desire? To give myself to God, to do only what he wants me to do, to be where he wants me to be, to serve as he wants me to serve. Then we follow our deepest desire and re-discover joy. “When we do what we are made for, we find joy.” (James Martin)

Praising God and Thanksgiving are Manifestations of Joy - Fr. Alain FEVRIER, SJ "Man is created to praise God our Lord and save his soul" says Ignatius. It is the realization that God is the first one to be happy about man! In response, man praises God... Praise and thanksgiving are external manifestations of joy, especially in worship; ... giving glory to God, confessing his greatness....

In the Bible, praise is reciprocal: God, first, praises man... when man was created, God saw " that it was good!" (Gen 2: 31). Somehow God rejoices in happiness before the man created at his word..... Praise is a way of God to be in relationship with man and vice versa, a way of being human in relationship with God. ... And so, in praise, ... God and man are connected reciprocally and begin to accomplish God's purpose concerning his creation... Praise therefore puts us in the daily actuality of God....to give God the praise, and to tell others: for praise knits together daily our

Joy in Suffering – Fr. Alain FEVRIER, SJ "Let them not see sad faces among us, people who are unhappy and dissatisfied, because "a sad disciple is a disciple of sadness." (Pope Francis) We too, like all the other men and women, have difficulties: nights of the spirit, disappointment, sickness, decline of forces due to old age. It is precisely in this that we should find the "perfect joy". Learn to recognize the face of Christ who became like us at all, and thus experience the joy of knowing that we are like him for love, that we did not refuse to suffer the cross. " Joy in Embracing our Pauline Spirituality – Fr. Ramon BAUTISTA, SJ Acts 20: 17-37 is one of the best biblical passages for us to understand Paul (his person; his values and ideals; his commitment; his mission; and yes his overall (Pauline) spirituality. The first basic aspect of Pauline spirituality as seen in Acts 20: 17ff is a spirituality of serving with joy– teaching/evangelizing (WORD) and bearing witness. Paul reminds the elders and us NOT only of WHAT he has been doing; but also HOW he has been doing it – namely with humility, courage, perseverance/patience/, much zeal/dedication, joy, with no discrimination (both Greeks and Jews) and with much earnestness.

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“Where there are religious, there is joy!” Pope Francis

Excerpts from the Conferences on Religious Life during the 2015 Sessions at the Generalate The second aspect of Pauline spirituality is the spirituality of availability and discernment. In verses 22-27, it is clear to Paul – that it is no longer his life. As apostle, it is not he who decides what to do and where to go. It is the Spirit now who decides what he must do and where he must go. This is Pauline availability at its best. And of course – to know what the Spirit is communicating and where the Spirit is leading – we need the gift of discernment. The third aspect is spirituality of love for the Church (vv 28-31). God’s church has been entrusted to human, fragile hands to oversee and guard (yet it is of God); this is a great privilege from God; the church came into being at the price of God’s blood (Paschal Mystery and cross); as such the church is invaluable; there will always be threats, scandals and challenges faced by the church – but she will always survive and even more than survive; she will thrive and bear fruit.

Joy in the Holy Friendship of God – “Mère Maria” by Sr Monique GAUDRON, SPC “The more your life is agitated and preoccupied the more should your heart be with God. … What then can one expect, from us poor women, dedicated to the service of others, if we are not constantly with God?” The more one is inserted in the middle of exterior things by the will of God, the more the heart must live interiorly! “May you remain in real peace and in the holy friendship of God through an intimate union with His divine Heart. It is in this adorable center, abyss of love, perfection of delights, where your heart will find its life, its rest and its true happiness…” “Do not desire anything else, but to please God…

Place yourself in His hands like a little child in the hands of his father, to do only what He wills and as He wills it…” Serve with joy. “True piety is always gay, frank and amiable: there is nothing strained in it.” The good God wants and loves to be served with joy. Joy expands the heart, makes it more fervent, more generous… Go to Him with open-heartedness, a truly filial confidence, like a child to his father… “Your painful thoughts are only temptations of the devil to make you lose your peace of mind. Sadness is the rust of the soul; it corrodes and undermines it little by little…show yourself generous in order to conquer it. God will help you.”

Joy in Community Life - Sr Madeleine RIOUX , SPC To make our community life more pleasant and joyful, we need to accept our reality and to cultivate a good self-love. Self-knowledge is important. How can I love another if I do not like myself? How can I value the other if I do not value myself? I learn to love myself when someone has allowed me to discover what's good in me and confirmed it to me. To love oneself is to first be aware that we are a unique person and by this very fact irreplaceable. It does not mean to believe that we are better than others, nor to compare ourselves to others. ...Rather, it is to recognize our uniqueness as a person and be proud. We believe ... that it is God who has put us in the world...and that God does not use an assembly line to make us.... That is why we are unique. We are created in the image of God: "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness ... So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. “ (Gen 1, 26-27) Unceasingly, we must remember that we are a reflection of God, a face of God. What for? Because we are first: Daughters of God. In the human order, the child resembles his parents. In the spiritual order we have a likeness to our Creator. Do we believe this ...[about ourselves and about our Sisters] in our daily lives?

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FRANCE A fraternal gathering was held in Chartres 17-18 October, 2015, which "cannot be passed by in silence" affirms Sr Brigitte SAVAGE, who was able to benefit from this gathering. The Sisters of St Paul de Chartres of the province of France opened the doors of the Motherhouse to religious men and women, lay persons, parents, and youth of all ages, to deepen together their passion for Christ in this Year of the Consecrated Life. A stimulating experience, organized by our young Sisters allowed this assembly to have a time of praying, singing, sharing, healing, relaxation, discovery of charisms of the congregations present in the Diocese, testimonies of the "call" of the Lord to religious life as revealed through different paths, struggles, determination, and detachments. The parents, in their turn, expressed how far their love for their children went in supporting the choice they made of a life totally and joyfully given to the Lord. These days were lived in joy, as a spiritual experience of fraternal communion, a color of the Gospel, helping to engender daily life and causing hope to break forth. We offer you the witness given at this occasion by a young Sister that was emotionally touching for the participants.

LOOKING AT MY RELIGIOUS VOCATION Many people ask "how can they know if they are called by God", and "what does it mean to be called”? I will share with you how I felt called. I was born into a family of 5 children. The origin of my vocation comes from my Baptism, because since my early childhood until the age of 15, I knew nothing of religion; my father was nonpracticing; he was engaged in politics. . For 40 years, there were no priests, no worship, and no religious practice. In going to school I saw a building. Was it a temple, always closed? No, in fact it was a church. My friend and I saw a man in a black robe; we were afraid when he approached us; who was this person? We would know later. Gradually, in 1992, the Christian life began to emerge; in 1994 when we obtained the authorization to practice our religion. It was then I made my first communion at age 14. In 1995, my father built our new house, and, thanks to my grandmother, a priest came and blessed it. He realized that I did not know that he was a

priest. After the blessing, as was the custom, he was invited to have a snack, and took the opportunity to ask me many questions: "Do you know any nuns?" “Yes, the Lovers of the Cross." My Christian life began that day, and went to church, even though my father forbade me to practice religion. I even went to Mass every morning with my friends' help. At 19 I decided to enter the convent and I cut all ties with my father. My mother said nothing, she let me do what I wanted. But I guessed her suffering. During the four years of nursing studies in Hanoi, I appreciated the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres, and so I decided to enter in their Congregation. But before leaving for the novitiate, I went to visit my parents to say 'goodbye'. At that time, my father, even though he did not practice the faith, agreed to let me go and said these beautiful words I will never forget: "Remember my daughter, that when you are away from us, you have to watch out in life, there are good friends but also bad, you should be responsible for everything that you do and, even when you obey people older than you, it is we whom you obey." I left with a lot of emotions. At that point, I asked my father why he did not want me to be a Sister. He told me he was concerned that I would not be happy at the convent because the life is so different from that of other people. No matter what, I decided to begin my religious formation and the Superior sent

me to Danang in 2002. In 2004, my Congregation chose me with a group of 10 Sisters to continue my formation in Chartres until I made my Perpetual Vows. In 2009, for the first time, I went to visit my family in Vietnam, and this time my father seemed happy to see me again, but remained astonished and reserved. For this reason, I wore "lay clothes" during my home visit, to make my parents more at ease. This helped my father to accept better my state of life. My vocation is a mystery, I learn every day, through the circumstances of life that I must especially listen to what Jesus told me through His Word, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples" ( Jn 17:17). This is the path to all the good and wonderful things God wants to give us. This is also the way to the greatest freedom that exists because God always respects our freedom. The freedom of man is the only thing before which the will of God stops, God has no need of anybody to be himself, yet God needs our response to be happy because his will is that we are happy.

-Sr Marie Anne TRAN Thi Toan FRANCE 22

December 8, 2015—November 20, 2016 The logo and the motto together provide a fitting summary of what the Jubilee Year is all about. The motto Merciful Like the Father (taken from the Gospel of Luke, 6:36) serves as an invitation to follow the merciful example of the Father who asks us not to judge or condemn but to forgive and to give love and forgiveness without measure (cfr. Lk 6:37-38). The logo – the work of Jesuit Father Marko I. Rupnik – presents a small summa theologiae of the theme of mercy. In fact, it represents an image quite important to the early Church: that of the Son having taken upon his shoulders the lost soul demonstrating that it is the love of Christ that brings to completion the mystery of his incarnation culminating in redemption. The logo has been designed in such a way so as to express the profound way in which the Good Shepherd touches the flesh of humanity and does so with a love with the power to change one’s life.

One particular feature worthy of note is that while the Good Shepherd, in his great mercy, takes humanity upon himself, his eyes are merged with those of man. Christ sees with the eyes of Adam, and Adam with the eyes of Christ. Every person discovers in Christ, the new Adam, one’s own humanity and the future that lies ahead, contemplating, in his gaze, the love of the Father. The scene is captured within the so called mandorla (the shape of an almond), a figure quite important in early and medieval iconography, for it calls to mind the two natures of Christ, divine and human. The three concentric ovals, with colors progressively lighter as we move outward, suggest the movement of Christ who carries humanity out of the night of sin and death. Conversely, the depth of the darker color suggests the impenetrability of the love of the Father who forgives all. http://www.im.va

The Calendar of the Major Events of the Jubilee of Mercy with Pope Francis 08 December 2015 Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Mass at 09:30 St. Peter's Square Opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica. Opening of the Year of Mercy 13 December 2015 Opening of the Holy Doors of the Basilicas of St. John Lateran and St. Paul outside the Walls and of the Cathedrals of the World. 01 January 2016 Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God World Day for Peace. Opening of the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. 19 January - 21 January 2016 Jubilee for those Engaged in Pilgrimage Work. 25 January 2016 Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul Ecumenical celebration at the Basilica of Saint Paul outside the Walls 02 February 2016 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Day of Consecrated Life Jubilee of Consecrated Life and Closing of the Year of the Consecrated Life 10 February 2016 Basilica of Saint Peter Ash Wednesday Sending forth of the Missionaries of Mercy

22 February 2016 Feast of the Chair of St. Peter Mass with the Holy Father in St. Peter's Basilica. Jubilee for the Roman Curia, the Governorate and the Institutions connected with the Holy See. 04 March 2016 - 05 March 2016 “24 Hours for the Lord” with a penitential liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica on the afternoon of Friday, March 4. 20 March 2016, Palm Sunday Youth Day for the Diocese of Rome 01 April 2016 - 03 April 2016 Penance Service in several of the churches of Rome Jubilee for those devoted to the Spirituality of Divine Mercy 23 April 2016 - 25 April 2016 Jubilee for Adolescent Boys and Girls (13-16 years) on the Theme Profess the Faith and Build a Culture of Mercy 05 May 2016 (18:00-19h30) - St. Peter’s Basilica Prayer vigil to "Dry the tears" 27 May 2016 - 29 May 2016 Corpus Christi - in Italy Jubilee for Deacons 03 June 2016 Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Jubilee for Priests

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10 June 2016 - 12 June 2016 Jubilee for the Sick and Persons with Disabilities 26 July 2016 - 31 July 2016 Jubilee of Youth - World Youth Day in Krakow 02 September 2016 - 04 September 2016 Jubilee for Workers and Volunteers of Mercy 23 September 2016 - 25 September 2016 Jubilee for Catechists 08 October 2016 - 09 October 2016 Marian Jubilee 06 November 2016 - St. Peter’s Basilica Jubilee for prisoners 13 November 2016 - Basilica of Saint John Lateran Closing of the Holy Doors in the Basilicas of Rome and in the Dioceses of the World 20 November 2016 - St. Peter’s Basilica Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Closing of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica

Conclusion of the Jubilee of Mercy

"THE PASSAGE" HOMELESS DAY CENTRE, VICTORIA, LONDON By: Sr Paul-Marie CUSHMAN ENGLAND-IRELAND As the "Year of Mercy" began on December 8, 2015, we have decided to include this reflection on a work of mercy, one example among so many of our Sisters' works of mercy, because it comes from a recent visit of Mother General to Highbury, London. [Editors' note.]

T

realise their own potential and enable them to transform their lives.

he Passage takes its ethos from the teaching and example of St. Vincent de Paul by actively working with our clients with respect and dignity and finding out what they need and want. The centre offers professional and appropriate advice and help according to the clients' needs and aspirations.

We are a voice for change and justice; we build relationships based on trust and respect for each other and we are straightforward in all our dealings. We also have an eight-strong team of outreach workers who often make contact late at night or early in the morning with those sleeping outdoors in Victoria. We have a 40-bed hostel which was opened in the year 2000.

The Passage runs London's largest Day Centre for the homeless and vulnerable. Each day we help over 200 men and women. We believe in practical hands-on approach, which is hard work, and we collaborate across all sectors of society. The big question: Why do people become homeless? Some reasons: Break-up of marriages or relationships, loss of work, loss of home and family because there is no money to keep them, addiction to or abuse of drugs, alcohol and gambling.

As a volunteer, I receive more back than I give. A "good morning", a smile or a joke with the homeless makes their day a bit brighter. When I think of the words of JESUS and the Holy Father I feel very unworthy, "When you do this to one of those my brothers and sisters, you do it to me" and again "I have no hands but your hands, no feet but your feet, no smile but your smile, no voice but your voice, no eyes but your eyes" (St Teresa of Avila).

As a volunteer, I work twice a week with a team of other religious Sisters and lay men and women. I also help with a charity collection for "The Passage" at Victoria train station in London once a month from 8 am till 11 am. Another collection for "The Passage" is on Good Friday at our Catholic Cathedral of Westminster and at Westminster Abbey for two hours.

I often tell JESUS that I am unworthy to do this mission but just as he said to St Paul, "My grace is enough for you". I also have the prayers of the Sisters in Highbury and the Sisters in Dublin to help me in this mission to the homeless. He "sent me to give the Good News to the poor."

We are 350-400 volunteers in the various shifts and ministries, providing and/or helping with breakfast and lunch, showers, laundry and activity groups, welfare rights, faith and community-based projects, English language skills, finding jobs and interpreters. We attempt to assist the homeless to

Note: The Founding Patron of "The Passage" was Cardinal Basil Hume in 1980. The current Patron is Cardinal Vincent Nichols.

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St. Mary’s Catholic High School – Dubai Al Muhaisnah Branch: Its Beginnings “Quality integral formation for social transformation, in the service of society through excellent teaching and compassionate caring.” One of the United Arab Emirates’ highest priorities has always been education as noted by His Highness, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), “The real asset of any advanced nation is its people, especially the educated ones, and the prosperity and success of the people are measured by the standard of their education."

school's opening. To have a feel of the culture and the Curriculum, they taught at St. Mary's Catholic High School, Oud Metha Road. Intensive recruitment of staff and admission of students commenced in March 2015. In April 2015, Sr. Rosalie BADELIC arrived to become the Finance and Administration Head. The SMM Local Community was completed with the arrival in August 2015 of Sr. Alma ESMERO as the Pastoral Care and Development Head.

The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia picked up the challenge in a unique way by creating the St. Mary’s Group (SMG) of schools, which consists of five Catholic schools serving approximately 8,000 students in the United Arab Emirates. The schools have a solid track record of high quality, affordability, and value-based education. All of the schools are managed and operated by the Catholic Church in the UAE under the leadership of the Vicar Apostolic of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, currently His Excellency Bishop Paul Hinder, O.F.M., Cap.

On the 16th of August 2015, the two-week enthusiasmfilled and unity-exemplified Staff Induction Programme commenced under the leadership of the Vicariate's Director of Teaching and Learning, Mr. John Turner and the SMM Principal, Mr. Derrick Duggan. The 30th of August 2015 marked the opening of St. Mary's Catholic High School - Dubai Muhaisnah Branch with around 760 students of diverse nationalities and religions -- 41% Filipinos, 26% Indians, 13% Egyptians, 6% Sri Lankans, 5% Pakistanis, 3% Africans, 2% Arabs, 2% Bangladeshi and 2% others; of these: 53.2% are Catholics, 29.3% Christians, 12% Muslims and 5.5% others.

In 2011, the St. Mary’s Group of Schools (SMG) developed a strategic plan, which included an objective to develop more schools to serve the needs of the families and students living in the UAE. On the same year, a letter of invitation was sent to Mother Myriam KITCHAROEN, asking for the Philippine Province to manage a school in Abu Dhabi. In 2012, the former Al Hesn School, located in the Muhaisnah area of Dubai, was purchased and St. Mary’s Muhaisnah (SMM) was established as a branch of St. Mary’s Catholic High School, Dubai.

SMM education is a call to human excellence, to the fullest possible development of all human qualities -intellectual, social, moral, spiritual and aesthetical in an environment of excellent teaching and compassionate caring. It is a call to develop the whole person, head and heart, intellect and feelings. It is a call to critical thinking, inner directedness and leadership to enable the students to live meaningful and productive lives with the potential for influencing and transforming society for service, in the local and global arena. SMM is the Cradle of Quality

The first two Sisters, Sr. Teresita BAYONA, Senior Vice Principal for Quality Assurance and Sr. Teresita CAPURIHAN, Vice Principal for Teaching and Learning, arrived in Dubai on 26th August 2015 to prepare for the

Our four Sisters in Dubai with the Principal of St. Mary’s Muhaisnah,Mr.Derrick Duggan

Sr. Teresita Capurihan with her Kindergarten children

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Mission in Nepal: Reaching out with Compassion

was totally destroyed during the earthquake. While providing the sewing materials for them to continue the training program, we are planning to help build a multipurpose hall which will include the rebuilding of St. Mary Sewing Center.

The Sisters of St. Paul have been working in Nepal since 2009. At the present, 5 missionaries from Korea are working in 2 communities: in Kathmandu, Sr. Sophia KIM and Sr. Sophia LEE, and in Pokhara, Sr. Martha PAK, Sr. Gemma Lucie KIM and Sr. Agnes KIM. They help to "elevate the human and spiritual levels" of the people, respecting the dignity of the needy and the children by providing medical and educational services.

* Patle village, Dhading District: As an immediate relief we provided dry food and T-shirts for the children. We are planning to support them also in building 5 new classrooms.

Our Sisters work in the St. Paul Edu Center and St. Paul Happy Home helping the children from the remote villages and slum areas by giving them tuitionfree English courses, as well as providing free meals for them. They also conduct Nepali language classes to the uneducated women. One Sister also works as a counselor in St. Xavier's Vocational College. In Pokhara, the Sisters were able to organize a small group of women from the slum area to have Biblesharing in their homes. They also have a St. Paul Mobile Clinic to give medical services to the sick in the remote villages and the slum areas.

* Bidur 9, Vagute, Nuwakot District: we offered support to Shree Ba Bhairam Primary School to rebuild 5 classrooms. * The Langtang Valley in the Rasuwa District: This valley was one of the villages particularly hard hit by the Nepal earthquake. We supplied 770 aluminum sheets for 77 families to make temporary shelters and provided Korean noodles to them. * Kathmandu District: we helped Godavari St. Xavier's School, and some families with cement and with aluminum siding to repair the houses damaged by the earthquake.

Last April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude quake killed more than 5,000 people and injured at least 10,000 people in Nepal. These are some relief services that our Sisters provided for the earthquake victims:

All these relief services were made possible by donations from the SPC Generalate and SPC Sisters from around the world, as well as many Korean benefactors.

* Gyalthung, Sindhupalchok District: As an immediate relief we provided dry food, tents, mats, clothes and some medicines for 28 families in this village. We also gave support to make a temporary meeting place for prayer. St. Mary Sewing Center, which started as a training center for the women in this village of Dalit people (often discriminated against)

We thank all of you for your generous help and prayerful support during this time of crisis. By: Sr. Gemma Lucie KIM

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A New Season in Eternity Antilles-Guyane 01 March 21 Sept Canada

Sr Claire-Madeleine GREAUX, 91 Sr Alphonse de Marie CHARLES, 99

67 years Rel Prof 68 years Rel Prof

13 February 28 February 28 February 19 April 23 May 30 September 22 October Korea-Daegu 24 April 25 April 03 December

Sr Maria-Gabriel MAINVILLE Hermelinde, 85 Sr Pierre de St-Louis BILLAUD (Armance), 96 Sr Marie-Geneviève de la Croix OUVRARD, 79 Sr Marie-Claude PELLETIER Jeannine, 82 Sr Marie de Ste Eve MALONEY Julienne, 82 Sr Marie AUDET (Jean de Jésus), 91 Sr Pauline BERNARD (Simon-Marie), 77

64 years Rel Prof 76 years Rel Prof 55 years Rel Prof 60 years Rel Prof 62 years Rel Prof 67 years Rel Prof 49 years Rel Prof

Sr Scholastique LEE Won-Yi, 98 Sr Marie René KIM Célina, 89 Sr Margarita Marie Bok-nam PAK,94

78 years Rel Prof 63 years Rel Prof 71 years Rel Prof

Sr Marie-Angelica (Kyu Ok) DJO, 84 Sr Gregorio (Byung Eun) DJO, 93 Sr Sophia (Eun Ja) CHOI, 75 Sr Aurelia Djeung Suk KIM, 104 Sr Nicholas de Jésus (Kil Sun) Kim, 80

58 years Rel Prof 62 years Rel Prof 46 years Rel Prof 78 years Rel Prof 56 years Rel Prof

Sr Agnès de Sainte-Marie GUÉRIN, 96 Sr Jeanne NOEL, 87 Sr Odile de Marie RAMONET. 100 Sr Théophane-Maria NGUYEN Thi Bau, 88 Sr René de St Jean GRÉAUD, 94 Sr Elisabeth de la Visitation LAINE, 95 Sr Aimée de Jésus MAIRET, 106 Sr Marthe de Jésus HARDOUIN, 98 Sr Anne Maurice PERRAUDEAU, 94 Sr Marie-Paule MIOSSEC, 75 Sr Françoise Renée LAMY,89

73 years Rel Prof 63 years Rel Prof 71 years Rel Prof 68 years Rel Prof 66 years Rel Prof 70 years Rel Prof 79 years Rel Prof 76 years Rel Prof 70 years Rel Prof 51 years Rel Prof 56 years Rel Prof

Sr André de la Croix Kimiko SATO, 80

51 years Rel Prof

Korea-Seoul 24 February 17 September 27 September 23 November 16 December France 30 January 03 February 08 February 12 February 13 July 04 August 26 October 30 October 31 October 13 November 12 December Japan 12 December

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A New Season in Eternity Philippines 02 March 04 March 05 March 24 May 24 May 02 June 19 July 30 August 01 September 04 September 06 October 26 October 30 October 13 November 12 December Thailand 08 February 31 July

Sr Maria Adela EDERA, 103 Sr Amelia BULLECER, 72 Sr Marcela de Jésus FAGEL, 103 Sr Assunta of the S.H. DIZON, 82 Sr Rosario HARO, 77 Sr Yolanda BERNARDINO, 61 Sr Marie Beatrice ECHALUCE, 88 Sr Monica of the S.H. PINEDA, 91 Sr Mary Ignatius DE LA ROSA, 88 Sr Maria Mercedes TANALGO, 84 Sr La Croix de Jesus ILAGAN, 100 Sr Mary Angela BARRIOS, 85 Sr Marilyn RIGOR, 62 Sr Maria Gloria PASAMBA, 80 Sr Erlinda BANDRIL, 78

72 years Rel Prof 42 years Rel Prof 78 years Rel Prof 49 years Rel Prof 47 years Rel Prof 36 years Rel Prof 59 years Rel Prof 66 years Rel Prof 62 years Rel Prof 56 years Rel Prof 78 years Rel Prof 63 years Rel Prof 34 years Rel Prof 53 years Rel Prof 45 years Rel Prof

Sr Raphaël de Marie PITAKPOOLSIN, 74 Sr Jean-Marie SIANGYEN, 60

50 years Rel Prof 32 years Rel Prof

Vietnam-Danang 06 January 19 January 09 February 22 February 02 May 20 August 29 October

Sr Agnès BUI THI TUYET MAI, 67 40 years Rel Prof Sr Marie Andrée VU THI LIEN, 91 66 years Rel Prof Sr Marie Paule VU THI MY, 98 73 years Rel Prof Sr Marie Reine HUYNH THI NGOC KHANH, 82 52 years Rel Prof Sr Clara du S.C. BACH THI NHAN Madeleine, 86 59 years Rel Prof Sr Sainte Cécile TRAN THI THOA, 90 66 years Rel Prof Sr Rose de l'Immaculée TRAN THI HONG Rosal,86 55 years Rel Prof

Vietnam-Mytho 30 May 15 August

Sr Marie Pauline NGUYEN THI NHIEM, 86 Sr Henri de St Paul NGO THI SAU Anna, 93

67 years Rel Prof 67 years Rel Prof

Vietnam-Saigon 16 March 07 April 10 July

Sr Félicienne de Marie TRINH KIM ANH Marie, 85 62 years Rel Prof Sr Antoine de St Paul HUYN THI CANH Elisabeth, 93 71 years Rel Prof Sr Marie Théodorine TRAN THI THANH Thérèse, 83 60 years Rel Prof

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