Each year the International Union of Superiors General hosts a Programme in Rome for the preparation of Formators. For several years, Holy Union Sisters from Cameroon and Tanzania have participated. This year Sister Fides Kimario from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania is participating in the programme. The Generalate Community also welcomed Sister Honorine Akateh, a Daughter of the Holy Family from Bafoussam, Cameroon. Many years ago, the bishop of the Bafoussam Diocese as the Holy Union Sisters to form a diocesan sisters’ congregation. This was the beginning of the Daughters of the Holy Family. The Generalate Community gladly welcomed Sister Honorine.
As they approach the end of the programme, both sisters agreed that gratitude best expresses their experience. Gratitude for the support and generosity of the Generalate Community. “When we return from class, the sisters ask us, ‘“How are you? How was your day?" “They put aside their busy schedules to care for us.”
Gratitude to be in Rome during the Church’s Year of Jubilee, which is also the beginning of the Bicentenary Jubilee of the Holy Union Congregation. Gratitude to witness the passing of Pope Francis whom the sisters were blessed to meet soon after their arrival. Gratitude to be in St. Peter’s Square for the funeral of Pope Francis. Gratitude to be present for the election of Pope Leo XIV. These experiences were a true blessing that will remain in their hearts forever.
The Formators Programme
Gratitude for the experience of six months of living and learning together with forty-six women religious from twenty-eight countries. All have been deeply nourished by this diversity and by the presentations of sisters, priests and lay people. Through their wisdom and experience, participants have gained a wealth of knowledge.
Gratitude for daily life rooted in an atmosphere of silence and prayer, both in community and at the classes. Sister Fides noted that this sacred space allowed her to listen more deeply to the Spirit, to others, and to herself. The programme has helped her navigate the complexities of life by grounding herself in intuition, wisdom, and values. She has come to understand that discernment is a gift that allows her to distinguish God’s will from her own desires. During the Programme, participants celebrated birthdays and feast days together with joy and unity.
Some Programme Highlights:
An eight-day retreat at “Centro ad Gentes” in Nemi was a profound experience of meeting God in prayer. Prior to the retreat, Fr. David Glenday, a Comboni Missionary, who served as Sister Fides mentor, offered a session on prayer. He reminded the sisters that prayer bears three fruits: receptivity, attentiveness, and transformation of relationships. Attentiveness to what the Lord is doing in my life, in the community, and through personal reflection is part of this journey of discernment. Prayer calls us to grow in awareness of God's presence and to integrate that awareness into our daily lives.
Gratitude for the pilgrimages to the Benedictine Monastery at Subiaco, Assisi and Siena.
Gratitude for the Intercultural Day with the theme: “Women with a Global Heart: Celebrating Our Diversity in Hope” a truly wonderful experience for all.
Here are some photos from the Intercultural Day.
