Weaving Gobal Solidarity for Life : UISG Plenary Meeting, Rome, Italy

May 19, 2016

The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) holds a plenary meeting in Rome once every three years. This meeting provides the opportunity for Superiors General to share issues relevant to religious life and ministry throughout the world and to do networking.

This year, the tri-annual meeting was held May 9 – 13. This also marked the closing of the celebrations for the 50^th anniversary of the UISG as an organization. Close to 900 Superiors General gathered for the week to focus on the theme “Weaving Global Solidarity for Life”. Sister Mary Kristin and Sister Mary Sujita attended the conference from our congregation. Addressing the topic “Solidarity for Life on the Periphery” Sister Mary Sujita was one of the keynote speakers. Sister’s presentation is available on the UISG website (http://www.internationalunionsuperiorsgeneral.org/meetings/assembly ) in several languages – along with the other presentations and many photos. Between the talks, there was time for sharing at tables. Each table had about 8 – 10 sisters from different countries who were able to communicate in one language. For the plenary sessions, simultaneous translation was provided in eleven languages.

During the meeting a new strategic plan was approved and commitments were made to journey together into the future, emphasizing the common charism of religious life while at the same time respecting and witnessing to our unique charisms. A highlight of the meeting was an audience with the Holy Father who encouraged us to be the feminine face of the Church and to find ways to exercise leadership within the Church. Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the Congregation of Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, celebrated the concluding liturgy. Some sisters from our motherhouse community were part of the choir for this Holy Mass.

It is the hope of the conference that in the years to come we will move forward together in solidarity for the transformation of the world.

While most of the participants in the assembly returned to their home after the meetings, the members of the Council of Delegates of the UISG stayed in Rome for a meeting on May 16-17. This Council of Delegates is composed of the members of the Board of Directors and the delegates elected by the representatives of the different regions.

One of the main tasks of the Council of Delegates was to elect the President and the Board Members for the term 2016-2019. On May 17, it was announced that the delegates of the UISG confirmed Sr. Carmen Sammut, msola, as UISG President! More information can be found on the uisg.org website.