As part of the preparation for the General Chapter we have been reflecting for a year on the theme “Rooted in Christ to build Eucharistic Communities and Human Fraternity”. We are called to be rooted in Christ to build Eucharistic communities and human fraternity. We are journeying together in communion towards this goal: Journeying together in Communion for Mission as we are in the midst of a wave of synodality which Pope Francis inaugurated in October 2021 for a Synodal Church that includes Communion, Participation and Mission.

On 11 October 1962, Pope John XXIII opened the historic Second Vatican Council, fully convinced that it was time to “throw open the windows of the church and let the fresh air of the spirit blow through.” It was not easy for him to throw open the windows of the Church, but he did it so courageously, in the face of much opposition even from within the Church. Today, the Church with Pope Francis at the helm, is ready to throw open not only the windows but also the doors of the Church and to allow the fresh air of the spirit blow through and renew the Church. The Pope invites the whole Church to question itself on synodality.

Communion is about common sharing, about fellowship. Communion is the grace to transcend our narrowness, selfishness, exclusiveness – to reach out to others particularly the lost, the least and the last.

Mission is going forth. It is a journey we are all called to undertake. To go out of ourselves: out of our own compounds, rituals and rites, our divisiveness and discriminatory attitudes, our arrogance and aggressiveness, our unforgiving attitudes, our jealousy, our negativity, our selfishness, our laziness and our pride, hate and violence. We are called to go forth: to build bridges rather than walls, to heal and not to wound, to love and not to hate. Mission is about journeying together for a common home in which justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, love, joy and peace are the rights of all. The journey will have difficulties and challenges – but we must continue walking it – till our pilgrimage here on earth comes to an end. May God bless us all.

Sr Lucious BS