We began the day in church with a solemn Holy Mass celebrated by Fr. Romuald Uzabumwan, SAC, General Councillor and Secretary for the Missions. The Eucharist was animated by the Missionary Commission, because today’s work of the Chapter was dedicated to our missions. There was a beautiful procession with gifts as well as songs and a dance of praise. In his homily Fr. Romualdo pointed out today’s Gospel as an impulse to try and seek ways of peace and to recognise the time of God’s visitation. He reminded us that a characteristic feature of the Pallottine charism is to read the signs of the times. We are called to bring peace in our missionary vocation and to respond concretely to the will of God and the needs of contemporary man.
We began the morning session with a prayer prepared by the novice Sisters of the International Novitiate in Tanzania: In a short video, the Sisters presented the biblical event at Cana and focused on Mary’s invitation to do all that Jesus says to us when he is sending us to our different tasks in our daily duties.
In a brief message, Father Martin Manus, SAC, stressed that mission is the main task of the Congregation, so that this day is not only a theoretical reflection, but also a celebration and full of joy. He recalled how much the missionary spirit animated St. Vincent Pallotti.
The Press Commission presented greetings from Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda, SAC, Metropolitan of Gdansk, and Sr. Jolanta Kafka, President of the International Union of Superiors General in Rome (UISG).
The report on the work of the Missionary Commission was presented by Sr. Honorata Lyimo, General Councillor. Between 2016 and 2021 the Sisters opened new missions in Uganda, Zambia, two in Tripura (in northeastern India), one among the Massai tribe in Magogo (Tanzania), and in Slovakia. Invitations to Syria, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Vietnam are still pending.
After the break we listened to the report of Sr. Marta Litawa, General Procurator of Missions. She presented the whole panorama of the Pallottine missions from Africa through India to remote Siberia. The Sisters are implementing various projects: building schools, kindergartens, hostels, and feeding centres, establishing electricity and wells for drinking water, supporting formation activities through publications and meetings, buying equipment, buses, cars, etc. The list is endless!
During adoration we prayed in different languages for our Congregation, our missionary Sisters, benefactors and collaborators, asking God for blessings for the living and the gift of eternal life for the deceased.
The afternoon session was opened with a report presented by Sr. Bożena Olszewska, a member of the Missionary Commission. Sr. Bożena is involved, among other things, in promoting the Adoption of the hearts, in order to support the education of poor children, to care for orphans, and to offer medical help in mission countries. She described her numerous activities like contacts with benefactors, preparation of missionary bazaars, preaching the Word of God, organising exhibitions, corresponding and cooperating with missionary Sisters, and many more.
A lively discussion showed the great concern of the Sisters for our missions. Fr. Martin concluded the afternoon by underlining once again that the missions are the heart of the Congregation. The passion with which the Sisters talked about our missions shows a desire for closer collaboration and international exchange.
His words were a good transition to the Vespers, which we prayed together in the aula.
