Arrivaderci

The dining area is echoing with laughter, tears, and the exchange of hugs as the Chapter Delegates prepare for travel tomorrow. Many of us will begin the journey home while a few will travel to Assisi and/or other destinations here in western Europe.

These days have been Spirit-filled with the convergence of our variety of cultures, life experiences, ministries, causes, and interests. The 23 days of chapter have brought us together as a community grounded in the franciscan values and charism we all share. As we return to our respective coountries and provinces, we take with us the memories and connections that have grown throughout our sacred converations, discernment, and prayer.

I am hopeful that eventually this blog will grow into an international effort with members of our different provinces sharing the challenges, joys and hopes that we embrace as the Daughters of Magdalen.

Ciao,

Margie

The Language of Team Ministry

We spent much of today attending to the remaining details of our conversations during this chapter.

Our new General Minister, Deborah Lockwood, spoke to us about her vision of team and the language needed for team ministry. She told us that this language must contain three essential words: "We", "I'm sorry", and "Thank You."

Tomorrow, after celebrating the Mass of the Holy Spirit, the delgates will elect that team for the next five years. May our hearts and minds remain open to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Our New General Minister

Just thought you all might like to know that this morning we elected S. Deborah Lockwood as our new General Minister. The remainder of the General Council will be elected on Sunday.

Please keep Deborah and all of us in prayer as we continue to pray and listen to the Holy Spirit.

Pace,

Margie

The Mirror of Eternity

Yesterday, in preparation for the election of the General Minister, we had the opportunity to spend a day of Reflection with Clare of Assisi. We gathered in the Chapter room with sacred dance as we remembered that we are on Holy Ground. After an invocation to the Holy Spirit, we spent some time meditating on the Testament of Clare:

"For the Lord Himself has placed us as a model, as an example and mirror not only for others, but also for our sisters whom the Lord has called to our way of life as well, that they in turn might be a mirror and example to those living in the world.

Since the Lord has called us to such great things that those who are a mirror and example to others may be reflected in us, we are greatly bound to bless and praise God and to be strengthend more and more to do good in the Lord."

and we were invited to reflect upon the following questions:

What do I model?

What do I mirror?

What am I an example of?

What strengthens me to do good?

From Clare's 4th Letter to Agnes of Prague we heard:

" Gaze upon that mirror each day, O Queen and spouse of Jesus Christ, and continually study your face in it..." (#15)

Indeed, in that mirror, blessed poverty, holy humility, and inexpressible charity shine forth as, with the grace of God, you will be able to contemplate them throughout the entire mirror." (#18)

and were invited to reflect upon these questions:

As I look into the mirror of my life,

Where is my poverty?

Where is my humiliy?

Where is my charity?

With these and several other passages from the writings of Clare, we spent the day in quiet contemplation punctuated by opportunities to share our reflections with our language group in the morning and in our international group in the afternoon.

Our day ended with thanks to the outgoing Council: S. Anisia, S. Deborah, S. Hanna, S. Leda, and S. Alphonsine as well as S. Dirce, general secretary and S. Monique, general treasurer, for their leadership, guidance, and hard work over the past five years.

A quiet spirit of peace is evident in the house as we prepare for the final days of our Chapter and the selection of our leadership for the next five years.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Malo, malo, thanks be to God!

Today, Wednesday, was a day on which St. Francis Province led morning prayer. The prayer invited us to pray with the image of the tree. The tree, sustainer of life, planted in the earth, and rooted deep in the mystery of God's Life in us. We sang together: I'm a branch of Catherine's tree; rooted deep in mystery; her life alive in me. Images of trees from each of our Provinces throughout the Congregation were imposed on the screen for reflection. There was also movement accompanied by Ruffino's music Sacred Creation. Some days ago Holy Name Province led us in prayer mindful of Sister Water, useful, cleansing, pure. Images of water were used to assist our reflection on how water sustains, quenches, and supports all Life. Sacred Heart Province, on another day, accompanied us in prayer to the heights of soaring mountains, to awesome majestic beauty where eagles fly free and the highest peaks touch the clouds. Our mid-morning Eucharistic liturgy today was prepared by all three of our U.S. Provinces. After a simple, joyful celebration many Sisters emerged from chapel singing the closing song's refrain: Malo, malo thanks be to God! The work of the sessions this afternoon was to vote on the Chapter Directive Statement and several proposals. The Chapter Directive Statement was celebrated by the gathering of all the Provincial Ministers and Mission Minister (of Tanzania, Sr. Margie) around the San Damiano Crucifix. Around the crucifix were placed large images of Francis, Clare, and Mother Magdalen with colorful ribbons extended to and held by each Provincial Minister. Each led the reading of the statement in the language of her Province. Malo, Malo, Thanks be to God! Pace e bene! Janet (for the U.S. Provinces of Holy Name, Sacred Heart, and St. Francis)

Morning Musing

Good early morning from Rome. We are now looking toward our last week here in Rome at the General Chapter. The days have been full, rich beyond measure. Longing to come home, yet still mindful of the daily need for attentiveness to our agenda at hand. We have moved into a deeper place of discernment regarding our international leadership. Yet the sights and sounds of the streets of Rome are still calling to us! Today we have an afternoon off from our schedule, since we have accomplished, well, the "work" of the Chapter thus far. Some are planning for various destinations in Rome and time for last sights and experiences before bidding farewell a week from today. We have made many friends, renewed some old friendships, and have been inspired by that which makes us Franciscans together in this life. The sense of our international bonds, those which reach deep into our shared Franciscan heritage and roots, have been richly expressed and experienced in these weeks. There is an abundance of gratitude, good cheer, deep love, and joy among us. It is palpable. Pace e bene! Janet (for Holy Name, Sacred Heart, and St. Francis Provinces)

Indonesia

Our Indonesian Sisters planned today's morning prayer and liturgy. Both were very beautiful! I was moved to tears by a brief video portion of morning prayer "Will you hold this sign for me?" in which Jesus gives his cross to a youth to hold until he returns. Indonesian dress, movement, and songs lifted our spirits and drew us into prayer. At Mass, readings, responses and songs were all in the Indonesian language - so captivating, while the homily was in English (much appreciated since we had copies of the readings in English but would have missed the entire meaning of the homily if it were in Indonesian.) The homily challenged us to choose to be "rich towards God" rather than rich in merely accumulating and hoarding goods for ourselves.

In our language groups, we met to give our response to the first draft of our General Chapter Direction Statement. We will continue to refine it until it is what we want to say and it is clear in all of our languages.

This afternoon we will have a chance to tour the museum of the Sisters who run the facility where we are staying and meeting. We've seen sneak previews in all of the Spanish artifacts artistically arranged through the building. After that we will return to our meetings and move along towards the election of a General Minister and General Council members.

On a lighter (and warmer) note, all are rejoicing that they turned on the heat in our building as the temperatures have been dropping pretty low overnight lately. Overall though, the weather has been near-perfect - especially on our outing days (yesterday and last Sunday).

If my sister Theresa is reading this, she will be glad to know that I stopped to pet a friendly German Shepherd dog at La Foresta yesterday. That was one of the four places those of us who went to the Rieti Valley visited. We saw where Francis wrote a "tau" on the wall in Fonte Columbo, where he set up a Christmas crib scene in Greccio (and where many countries have sent cribs that are on display), where Francis had his eye "surgery" and where he went to recover afterwards.

Peace and every good blessing be yours,

Nancy Miller

Discernment

Today was a rest day for all of us gathered here in Rome for the General Chapter. Most of our group went on a day long bus trip to the Rieti Valley, visiting places that are connected with the life and prayer of St. Francis: Poggio Bustone, Fontecolombo, Greccio, and La Foresta. A few of us stayed in Rome and spent the day visiting various destinations.

Yesterday, on Saturday morning, we worked in a plenary session and in our small sacred conversation circles as we reviewed the items on the agenda that are proposed as changes to the general statutes and as Chapter Decisions. It appears that most delegates are esssentially in agreement on the spirit of these proposals. Some requests for re-writing have gone to those who presented proposals and we will be looking at these items again in the coming week.

Saturday afternoon began with a sacred conversation within the whole group during which each delegate was invited to speak to her experience of the Chapter up to this point. It was powerful and deeply moving to hear each sister speak from her heart about the way in which this Chapter has unfolded for her.

Following the sacred conversation with the whole group, S. Colette addressed our assembly once again as we move into a more formal discernment of candidates for leadership on the General Council. She reminded us that the future of religious life was uncertain in 1835 when Mother Magdalen and the first group of sisters began our congregation and in 2009, the future of religious life is again uncertain. She asked us, "Can we surrender our immediate and projected future to the Holy Spirit?" She then reminded us that, "The greatest resource we have is God; God WILL provide. The next greatest resource we have is each other." We then had the remainder of the afternoon until cena (7:00 PM) for quiet reflection and prayer.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of our third week of Chapter and we will consider the first draft of the 2009 Chapter Direction Statment that has been prepared by the international writing group, which is composed of 6 delegates. Tomorrow evening we will hear from those whose names were raised in the second round about their discernment thus far. We know that everyone at home is holding our gathering in prayer as we listen for the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Setting a Direction

Today is the Feast of St. Teresa of Avila, a passionate woman unafraid to speak her mind to Church leaders and to God.

This day began quite differently from the preceding ones as the sound equipment actually worked when it was turned on. It seems that we had been dealing with a defective system and only after the 4th time of being called out to our site to troubleshoot, did the techs figure out that they needed to get us a new sound board and translation equipment. Buon Giourno, Roman Gremlins!

This evening we celebrated a festive Eucharist with the Sisters who own and staff the convent in which we are staying during our General Chapter. St. Teresa is their patron so the celebration was quite cosmopolitan with Spanish music, multilingual Prayers of the Faithful and the Mass celebrated in Italian.

Our sacred conversations today centered around the direction in which the Spirit is calling us as a congregation. There were conversation circles in language groups as well as in international groups, with the day ending in a plenary session. As you can imagine with 43 delegates from 7 different countries, there is a multiplicity of ideas about where to put our energy and focus for the next five years. Some of the areas that seem to be emerging consistently are around treasuring and celebrating our internationality, increased collaboration among the provinces, a rootedness in contemplative prayer, care for the earth, discening anew the signs of the times and how they call us to respond in prayer and in service, and a wilingness to be open to the new, to move into the unknown in faith and trust.

There is an international group of 6 Delegates tasked with drafting a preliminary Direction Statement that will then come back to all the Delegates for further review and work in the sacred conversation circles. That group begins work tomorrow and our blessings are with them as they set about the monumental task of synthesizing a wealth of ideas and insights into a simple, cohesive statement upon which we all can agree.

In other news, what some of us are starting to call the Congregational Cold has claimed about a third of the Delegates. A chorus of coughs punctuates every session and it appears that not even the scrupulous use of hand sanitizer combined with the zealous practice of handwashing can outwit the common cold. The local farmaccia (pharmacy) has surely seen an increase in business as we send people out for kleenex, riccola (cough drops) and antihistamines.

Hope you are all staying well.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Come, Holy Spirit

In a post this morning Janet shared about our wonderful discernment day at San Damiano. It was truly a great blessing to be able to spend some quiet contemplative time in the very place that Francis made his own discernment to live the Gospel life.

Thoroughout these past nine days, as members of both language groups and international groups, we have been prayerfully and intentionally participating in sacred conversations with one other around the challenges and hopes of each Province / Mission. As part of our conversations, we have been naming with and for one another the directions and dreams that we feel the Spirit inviting us to address in the next five years. In light of our direction, we have also been considering the qualities needed for leadership as we take our Passion for Christ to All Creation. In many of our conversations the quality of Wisdom keeps arising as an important part of our continuing journey.

Today we began our gathering with our sisters from Poland leading us in Prayer to the Holy Spirit. We began with a beautiful Polish song. The words, as given in our translation into English, are: Come to us, O Holy Ghost, touch the wounds in our hearts. Heal them with your tender love, Pour your peace into our hearts. As the song played, seven candles, each with a beautiful rendering of a flame, we brought into our sacred circle space in the middle of the chapter room. We prayed to be filled with each of the gifts of the Holy Spirit as we now turn our attention to articulating a vision for our international congregation and the surfacing of names for leadership to take us where the Spirit blows.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Chapter Discernment in Assisi

It is early Wednesday morning, October 13th, in Rome. The weather, for a day or so, began turning cool with some rain and wind. We set off early yesterday morning for Assisi mindful that we may encounter some even cooler weather there. Turned out we were gifted with more beautiful sun and warmth there. The blue clarity of sky with great white puffs of clouds dotting the skies was a wonderful sight to behold. The Umbrian Valley below Assisi was picture-book quality. All this and a more quiet Assisi-----all the pilgrims and tourists gone since the Feast of Francis------made the day so very enjoyable. Our purpose for the sojourn to Assisi yesterday was to begin the deep reflective process of discernment for leadership and direction of the Congregation for the next five years. We had the great privilege (with much gratitude to the General Council and particularly Debbie who arranged this stay) to have San Damiano reserved for us for a significant period of time so that we could gather there for reflection together, without disturbance by tourists. (Though usually the tourists at San Damiano are mostly quiet compared to the other sacred spots in Assisi.) On this Holy Ground, a friar presided at the Mass of the Holy Spirit with us in the chapel, where we also reflected once more with Sister Colette on the work of the Spirit now in this discernment phase of the Chapter. The words that stay with me are: let the Spirit blow where she will. Then there was time for spending in the environs of San Damiano: the dormitory (where Clare's presence is often so deeply felt), the path tracing down the hill providing gorgeous vistas of the Umbrian Valley, and the protective, still courtyard. There was also more opportunity to make visits to San Francesco and Santa Chiara, and partake in more gelato, pizza, and cappaciano. Today we return to the Chapter room and continue our long day of work and process. Pace e bene to all!



Janet (on behalf of the U.S. delegation, Holy Name, Sacred Heart, and St. Francis Provinces)

Remembering Assisi

Hi, I finally got a chance to read our blog and didn't see any mention of some of the special occurrences that took place in Assisi as the town prepared for the Feast of St. Francis. Many of us who were in Assisi before the Chapter were delighted to see street painters drawing free hand images of Jesus, and Mary in familiar settings on the streets, coloring them in with brighhtly colored chalk. My favorite was a drawing of the Madonna of the Streets. It was so well done and so like the original.
Elsewhere we came across what appeared at first to be a newly-placed statue of St. Francis that was so real looking, it actually moved and breathed, and bowed to us with a smile when we made a donation. Near the Basilica of St. Clare we found an angel writing blessings for visitors to Assisi and not far from there, a flutist played magnificently. As we left Assisi after the Transitus celebration, on October 3, we headed for Rome to open our Chapter while other pilgrims continued arriving in Assisi for the rest of the celebrations there.
Peace and all good,
Nancy Miller (now one of two Nancys here at the Chapter)

Chapter Participants

For the past few days we have been writing some of our experiences of this 30th General Chapter for the Sisters of St. Francis of Penance & Christian Charity. A few of you have been wondering who is at this chapter. Following you will find the names of all the participants:

GENERAL COUNCIL:
S. Deborah Lockwood, S. Leda Ines Rabuske, S. Hanna Piorkowska, S. Alfonsine Sri Mulat Supartini.

DELEGATES:
Tanzania Mission:
S. Marguerite (Margie) Wolf, S. Dilsa Graff

Divine Providence Province, Netherlands:
S. Regia Kicken, S. Charitas Wolffs, S. Simone Huisman, S. Chretienne Nibbelke

Porto Algre, Brazil:
S. Ilse Marie Dicks, S. Benedita Pereira de Melo, S. Vera Lucia Konzen, S. Marlise Strehl,

Santa Maria, Brazil:
S. Irani Rupolo, S. Claricia Terezinha Thomas, S. Nilvete Soares Gomes, S. Maria Ana Klein,

Ludinghausen, Germany:
S. Mathilde Hassenkamp, S. Susanna Stader, S. Judith Kohorst

Nonnenwerth, Germany:
S. Maria Lay, S. Irene Kreutz, S. Andrea Becker

Orlik, Poland:
S. Tarcyzia Kurzec, S. Dominika Rogaczewska, S. Irmina Grulkowska, S. Mirona Turzynska


Semarang, Indonesia:
S. Ignace Marie Novi Harjati, S. Clara Ruoh, S. Teresio Setyowati, S. Giovani Darjuni Agarini, S. Victorine Ida Nursanti

Holy Name Province, USA:
S. Dorothy Mueller, S. Nancy Miller, S. Nancy Zelma

Sacred Heart Province, USA:
S. Karen Crouse, S. Sen Nguyen, S. Sarah Manchester

St. Francis Province, USA:
S. Patricia Rayburn, S. Margaret (Margie) Will, S. Janet Gwinn

FACILITATOR:
S. Maria Elena Martinez

SECRETARIES:
S. Dirce Limberger, S. Mary Serbacki

INTERPRETERS:
S. Jacqueline Mulberge (German - English)
S. Maria Noeli Bohn (English - Portuguese)
S. Delia Abear, SSpS (Indonesian- English)
S. Patricia (Patty) Podihaisky (Portugese - English)
S. Malgorzta Wyrodek (Polish - English)

TREASURER:
S. Monique Soehargo

INPUT:
S. Colette Rhoney

October 12, 2009

Sunday was a day of rest from Chapter. Well, if you call attending a canonization, touring Rome, or traveling to Assisi for the day a rest, that is! In other words, we had our first free day to do what we wished. Many Sisters attended the canonization of several new saints at St. Peter's. This event was of particular interest to our Polish Sisters since one of those being canonized was a Polish bishop. They were very joyful to have the experience with thousands of other pilgrims coming from Poland, Spain, Brazil, and Hawaii, imparticular. More familiar to us being canonized was Father Damien of Molokai. Some of us set out early in the morning to attend mass at The Church of Santa Susanna, which is the church of the American Catholic Community in Rome. It is considered one of the 25 oldest churches in Rome, having been built in 330AD. This group continued its day touring various popular sights in Rome, among them Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navone, the Pantheon, & the Spanish Steps. We encountered the bustle of Roman streets, teeming with life. Also experienced were breathtaking works of art, among them some of Carvaggio's beautiful paintings and Benini's sculpture of the Ecstacy of St. Theresa. A wonderful meal was taken and, of course, cappaciano and gelato! Another group set out to Assisi for the day. Tails were told of treks up to the carceri and a beautiful live production, Clare de Dio, playing in Assisi. Wherever the delegates went in Rome on Sunday, the life, flavor, sights, and sounds of Italy were to be found! More later.....Pace e bene! Janet, on behalf of the U.S. Chapter Delegation (Holy Name, Sacred Heart, and St. Francis Provinces)

Chapter Day 7 - Oct. 10, 2009

No need for an alarm clock this morning1 Brother Thunder and Sister Lightening ushered in the day with mighty claps and static brightness accompanied by eventual cleansing rain. This afternoon Brother Sun is once again bright and spreading warmth. The morning storm certainly caught our attention, though! During the last two days the Chapter body has been on a virtual travel experience through the Provinces of the Congregation through the reports being presented. Prior to our two reflection days with Sr. Colette, the General Council provided us with an expansive all-day report of the last 5 years since being in leadership of the Congregation. The Chapter body has now been to Poland, Indonesia, Brazil, Germany, & the Netherlands. On Monday the report of the United States Provinces will be given. Tomorrow is our first day off and there are various plans in the making for touring Rome or returning to Assisi for the day. The pictures you see here are a couple of images of recent days. Above is a ritual planting of seeds during prayer led by our Brazilian sisters this morning. Below you see a ritual of incense and prayer during the liturgy led by our German sisters yesterday. Sending our blessing and love to all. Pace e bene! Janet, for our U.S. Delegation from Holy Name, Sacred Heart, and St. Francis Provinces.

Life in Abundance

The Roman gremlins are still with us, infecting the sound system with great regularity and wrecking havoc with the translation equipment. One can either be irrititated or amused by the situation and it seems that most of us have chosen the latter response. Sr. Dierce, the Chapter secretary, seems to have developed a magic touch that generally sets things right within a few minutes.

A greater part of the past two days have been devoted to hearing Chapter reports from the various provinces. Yesterday we heard from our Polish Sisters and from our Sisters who live in Tanzania.

Both groups have great energy and enthusiasm. Our Polish Sisters mentioned the erosion of values that has taken place recently and the culture of death which pervades their society. In light of these challenges the Sisters minister in ways that meet the people where they are, moving into social work and ministries to the elderly as well as continuing educational and hospital ministries. Recently the Polish Province began a mission in Belarus, ministering to the very poor.

Our Tanzanian Mission Sisters are laying the foundation for a new group of Magdalen's Daughters. The seeds of Franciscan life planted 50 years ago by our Dutch Sisters are taking root and growing strong. St. Marguerite and Sr. Dilsa spoke in their report about the history of our presence in Tanzania, as well as some of the struggles and challenges that continue. But mostly they shared about the ministries, hopes and dreams of this vibrant mission that is attracting a number of Tanzanian women to live our way of life.

This morning we heard from our German Sisters. There are two provinces in Germany, Ludinghausen and Nonnenwerth. The sisters who came as missionaries to the U. S. were sent from Nonnenwerth, the first German province. But that is another story for another time.

Our German Sisters gave us a very informative presentation on the social, cultural, political and religious situation in Germany. Sr. Judith spoke very movingly about growing up in a Germany divided by the wall, and how, when the wall came down, it was beyond belief, truly a miracle that no one had ever expected to see.

As in the United States, our sisters in Germany live in tension with a society that no longer finds a primary orientation in faith. There are few young sisters and the median age of the sisters rises rapidly. Despite these challenges, the sisters are creating new opportunities to minister to God's people and to share our Franciscan Charism with youth and laity. The presentation concluded with a beautiful photo montage of life in the Ludinghausen Province that was based on the Canticle of St. Francis.

After the break our sisters from the Netherlands, the original province, gave their report. In the past five years they have buried 36 sisters. No women have eneterd the community since 1970 so there are 5 sisters under 70, all at least 60 years of age. In the face of their aging, the Dutch Sisters continue to trust in God's Providence, do what they can to build Franciscan community and financially support efforts throughout the world that aim to do the same.

Sr. Chretienne spoke of the lay Franciscan movement in the Netherlands which is comprised of various faith traditions and includes married couples and their children, singles, and some small groups that have chosen to live in common. There are about 3,000 of these lay Franciscans and they are organized into regions with a custos. (We would call this a minister.) They have a Council and membersof the movment meet annually in Chapter. Some of the Dutch sisters are also members of this group and support it with their presence, resources, and by sharing the deep wisdom of their lived experience of Franciscan life.

Great faith, trust, passion, creativity, and vision dwell in these, the eldest Daughters of Magdalen. They have much to teach the younger provinces about trust in God and honoring the Holy Ground of our being.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Passion!

In the course of Sr. Colette's leading us more deeply into reflection on our Chapter theme, Witnessing Our Passion For Christ to All Creation, we have heard from one another of the profound meaning this theme holds for us. We have reflected on the fire in the souls of Francis and Clare going out to the world of their time, and the persistent passion of Mother Magdalen burning in her time and place in history. We were invited to find our own fire, our own passion. An image presented was of each of us being a flame of the Spirit's life in the world, culminating in the entire flame of the Spirit witnessing to the Presence of Love being offered to a broken world. Sr. Colette said: For Franciscans, to live the gospel is to love a God of reckless and scandalous Love. We were asked: What is the holy fire in your souls? Engaging in Sacred Conversations has rustled the Spirit's presence among the Chapter body and assisted in the forming of this unique Chapter community. Day by day, tensions are easing, anxieties relaxing, and uncomfortabilities fading. Animated conversations are evident in the various gathering places in the Chapter house such as the dining room, Chapter room, and hallways. Our languages of Dutch, German, Indonesian, English, Polish, and Portuguese mingle with beautiful resonance. Our shared roots and heritage unite us in our common life as Franciscans, one and all. As the days unfold, we experience this Chapter gathering as a treasure being discovered and savoured with each day. We continue to invite your posts and look forward to reading more of your comments. Please keep them coming! In the meantime, we send our greetings of Pace e bene from the Eternal City. Know that we are very mindful of the needs of the world and those which you have asked us to carry. We are praying as a Chapter each day for all! Ciao! from your Sisters from Holy Name, Sacred Heart, and St. Francis Provinces.

Witness

The Roman gremlins infested the electronic translation equipment this morning as we were beginning our session making the simultaneous translations impossible. After about 1/2 hour of trying various remedies, it became evident that a call to the technicians needed to be made. With typical Franciscan ingenuity, a temporary solution was found by putting the faciliator, who speaks English, in the English translater's booth so that translation into the other languages could continue. When the time came for Sr. Andrea from Germany to give a digest of the daily news to our group, she used the translator's booth so that the translation into English could be made. Thankfully, the technicians eventually arrived and, after some consultation, diagnosed the problem so that our morning of reflection could begin.

Sr. Colette Rhoney, a member of the Holy Name Province in the U.S.A., is our speaker for the next two days as we spend some time in prayer and reflection. Her talk this morning began with the beautiful words and music of the following chant: Holy Sacred Spirit, breathe Your breath on us. Holy Sacred Spirit breathe Your life in us.

Seven candles were brought into the center of our gathering space by representatives from each language group and placed around the San Damiano cross as each spoke the words of the chant to the Holy Spirit in her own language. It was such a simple prayer, yet at the same time, so complex with layer upon layer of meaning.

Sr. Colette continued the morning with reflections on the theme of "Witness", which is the first of the words of our General Chapter theme for 2009. She reminded us of the testimony of the first sisters of Clare who witnessed to Clare's holy manner of life. Clare, a woman who in choosing to wash the bedding of the sisters in her community who were sick, literally gve her life to the witness of the gospel of service, since those vermin infested beds could have been infected with plague carrying fleas.

Sr. Colette reminded us of our sisters, begining with Mother Magdalen, who have been witnesses of peace, reconciliation, and hope throughout our 174 year history as a congregation. As we remember the witness that we have given as an international congregation and look toward the witness that is yet to be, she reminded us of these words from the Book of Deuteronomy: "Do not forget the things your eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your heart all the days of your life." --Deuteronomy 4:9

Her challenge to the Cahpter Delegates is really a question for all

of us, Sisters and Associates alike, who walk together in the Charism of Mother Magdalen: How do we take what we have seen and we have heard in our hearts to the service of a renewed church and a global reverence for all creation and all people? How are we witnesses to the passion of Christ?" It a question that the Delegates will consider together these next few weeks as we shape the direction of our community for the next five years.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Chapter: Day 2

The second day of our Chapter is finished and it was a very long one. We began at 7am with mass and finished with the evening meal around 7pm. Now Sisters are doing various activities: walking, visiting, doing laundry, praying, absorbing the fullness of the day, and resting. Sisters are becoming acquainted with one another at every opportunity. Some know one another from other various experiences of having come together at past General Chapters or visiting in other Provinces. We are settling in well and establishing a rhythm.

Today we heard the report from the General Council, which was an all-day presentation. During the day, the Council incorporated time for Sacred Conversation among the Sisters in response to the report. In our International groups (each group consists of a mix of about 6 Sisters from the Provinces) we were given the opportuntiy to talk today about what inspired us about the report and what we wished to say to the General Council about our impressions of their report. As we look to future days, each delegation from every Province will be giving a report of their Province to the General Chapter. We are having an enriching time and, surely, there is much more in store!

This is all for tonight. We are keeping mindful of concerns you have asked us to carry with us; as well we are praying for the needs of our world as we gather each day. We look forward to reading your posts! Pace e bene! Janet (for the North American delegation from Stella, Denver, and Redwood City)

FEAST OF ST. FRANCIS

We have just finished pranza, the noon meal, which in Italy is the large meal. We have a break for about an hour so I am taking some time to update our blog.

The celebration of the Transitus at the Portiuncola was truly a pageant which included a procession of banners and people from every commune in the Assisi area. I estimate the number of people inside the basilica at about 3,000 with as many, if not more, outside in the plaza. Having heard that seats were at a premium I arrived at 15:15 for the 17:30 vespers and found the church already half full. I was able to snag some seats in the third section from the front, so Jan, Pat, and I were at least able to sit down duirng the service which did, indeed last two hours.

After the Transitus, we met up with the other delegates from the U.S. and formed a procession of our own as we rolled our luggage four blocks through the streets of Santa Maria degli Angeli to board a chartered bus for Rome. The drive took about two hours so we were all pretty tired when we arrived at the Casa de Spiritualita e di Accoglienza Enrique de Osso in Rome. It was good to see familiar faces, as well as to greet new ones. The entire delegation is now here.

After collatio (breakfast) this morning, we convened in the chapter room to test the translation equipment and to learn translation protocol. Even though we actually have 6 language groups present, there will be only 5 languages simultaneously translated during our gathering: German, Portugese, Indonesian, Polish, and English. Three of the translaters are members of our community. There are many delgates who speak 3 or even 4 languages fluently. Alas, I am not one of them. My halting Spanish is getting a workout since it is the tongue that is most useful for chatting with those who speak Portuguese. It is good that most of us have at least a tiny bit of one language in common and on the rare occasions that casual communication is difficult, there is usually someone who can assist.

A multilingual Mass for the Feast of St. Francis followed the trial run with the translation equipment. Our Presider was a Franciscan Priest and former provincial minister from Indonesia so the liturgy was filled with franciscan spirit. Shortly following Mass, we processed down the stairs from the Chapel area into the chapter room and prayed for the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We each received a tau cross as part of this ceremony and anointed one another with scented oil for the work that lies ahead. A festive pranza (lunch) followed.

Pace e Bene,

Margie

Feast of the Transitus

We leave for Rome this evening so the morning started with a bus ride to to Assisi for another visit to San Rufino Church. From there it was a walk to Santa Chiara, and then to San Francesco. The Feast of St. Francis is tomorrow so both Assisi and Santa Maria degli Angeli are overflowing with pilgrims and tourists.

Tonight, we will be able to celebrate Transitus vespers at the Portiuncola. We understand that one needs to arrive two hours early to get a seat for the service so in a few minutes we will leave for the Church (just across the street) to make sure we have a place to sit for what we anticipate to be a two hour service. Fortunately, I have a book to pass the time. (I knew that english copy of the Little Flowers of St. Clare would come in handy!)

Pace e Bene,

Margie