The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters celebrated the Eleventh General Chapter of the Congregation at ‘Somarpann, Generalate, Mangalore from May 9-15, 2004. Thirty eight Sisters - the delegates to the General Chapter represented the four Provinces and two Regions of the Congregation.",
Eleventh General Chapter
The Ursuline Franciscan Sisters celebrated the Eleventh General Chapter of the Congregation at ‘Somarpann’, Generalate, Mangalore from May 9-15, 2004. Thirty eight Sisters - the delegates to the General Chapter represented the four Provinces and two Regions of the Congregation.
Delegates to the Eleventh General Chapter
Pre-chapter Assembly and Directed Retreat
Prior to this the delegates participated in the Pre-chapter assembly of three days held in immediate preparation for the great event of the Congregation. This followed a Directed Retreat of eight days animated by Rev. Fr Freddie D’Silva S.J. The retreat organized in preparation to the General Chapter indeed became God’s gift of silence through which a disposition of interior receptivity was created in the representatives gathered by the Lord for a Pentecostal experience. The delegates of the Eleventh General Chapter bow before the Lord in deep gratitude for this experience of grace that enabled them to be responsible throughout the General Chapter.
The theme of the General Chapter was Formation for Mission. In the inaugural Mass celebrated by Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, Bishop of Mangalore the delegates were reminded of the missionary vocation of the religious. This message was apt to the occasion and it vibrated all through the discussions and deliberations of the General Chapter.
Eleventh General Chapter
Rev. Sr Edilburga, the Superior General in her inaugural message said, to be authentic and relevant today, the Ursuline Franciscans must move from regularity to radicalism, from the security of a community to involvement with the people, from rigidity to flexibility, from being conformist to be creative - re-founding. Inorder to arrive at this transition we need to have deep God-experience, constant contact with the struggles of the people, a critical mind that questions and searches.
With these emphatic words she declared the General Chapter open on May 9, 2004 and imparted the blessing of St Francis to the delegates of Eleventh General Chapter.
The Life and Mission of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters was presented in the form of reports. The delegates who already had made a personal study of these reports gave enriching feedback in the form of observations, evaluation and suggestions.
Through the delegates of the Chapter the will of God was revealed to the Congregation in the elections held on May 12, 2004. In a grace-filled, peaceful environment the following were elected to office for six years.
Sr Doreen D’Souza - Superior General, Sr Aurea D’Souza - Assistant General, Sr Jyothi Fernandes - Councillor General, Sr Jeraldine D’Souza - Councillor General, Sr Lilly Fernandes - Councillor General
New General Team
Sr Jyothi Fernandes, Sr Aurea D’Souza, Sr Doreen D’Souza,
Sr Jeraldine D’ Souza and Sr Lilly Fernandes, elected on 12-05-2004
The Eleventh General Chapter studied and approved the redrafted Directory (Norms or Statutes) and the Customs of the Congregation, formulated policies and gave significant mandates to the Provinces and to the General Council to be implemented within the term of six years.
In all these the following were emphasized:
- deepening of contemplative dimension of Ursuline Franciscan way of life.
- rediscovering the Charism and spirituality of the Congregation in the light of the signs of times.
- focusing on the frontline ministries inorder to be involved in and committed to the struggles of the weaker sections of the society.
- fostering collaboration with the laity and make them collaborators in our mission.
Carrying the message of God’s love and compassion
The General Chapter XI is an experience of God’s favour wherein his love was poured into our hearts. It is an experience of being sent with renewed vision and mission. We have miles to go in carrying the message of God’s love and compassion to those whom we minister through our service.
We, the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters march ahead with our bonds strengthened, commitment renewed, hope rekindled, vision focused and faith deepened and hold within us a new enthusiasm for the Gospel, a new power to reach out to the people.
In Gratitude
The Congregation owes deep and sincere gratitude to Sr Edilburga the former Superior General and her team of General Councillors Sr Victoria Serrao, Sr Aurea D’Souza, Sr Angeline Sequeira and Sr Irene D’Souza for rich contribution towards the growth of the Congregation and places on record their yeoman service of love. The newly elected Superior General and her Council hopes to carry on the mandates of the Eleventh General Chapter with the collaboration of the Provincial Superiors/Regional Superiors and remains committed to the service of the Congregation, believing in the words of the Lord I am with you, do not be afraid.
Old General Team
Sr Irene D’Souza, Sr Aurea D’Souza, Sr Victoria Serrao, Sr Edilburga Monteiro,
Sr Angeline Sequeira and Sr Trecilla D’Mello