Prague (Czech Republic). From 6 to 8 November 2020, the discernment process for the appointment of the Provincial of Mary Immaculate Province of the Czech Republic and Lithuania (CEL) took place in online mode due to the Covid-19 pandemic, led by Sr. Maria Assunta Inoue, Visiting Councilor of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians. The discernment took place starting from the theme of General Chapter XXIV: “Do whatever he tells you – communities that generate life in the heart of contemporaneity”.
The meeting began with the presentation of the journey of the CEL Province of the 2015-2020 six-year period and the statistical data, presented by Sr. Maria Assunta. The communities reflected on the challenges present in today’s society and on the attitudes needed to face them. They then shared the dreams and hopes for the educational mission in the Province.
Sr. Maria Assunta indicated the profile of the Provincial. She took up the Discourse of Pope Francis to the Participants at the Conference for new Bishops, she recalled that “the shepherd walks with the flock, stands in front to show the way, is among them to strengthen unity, walks behind to avoid anyone being left behind, and to follow the nose of the flock and find new ways”. She places the Word of Jesus at the basis of her mission, in order to offer hope to the world and make it grow in proximity. She clothes herself with humility and takes on the life of others, touching the suffering flesh of Christ. She behaves like ‘those who serve’, always having before her eyes the example of the Good Shepherd, who came to serve. The shepherd is the one who washes feet, is close to the people, loves poverty, both as freedom for the Lord and as simplicity and austerity of life. She undertakes to give missionary impetus to the Communities, so that they may be enriched with new members, thanks to the witness of life and the mission.
The Councilor highlighted the perspectives of the XXIII General Chapter: the provincial is called to animate, together with the sisters, fidelity to the charism today, to foster the prophetic and witnessing strength of the life of the FMA, following the indications of the Institute and the Church, within the specific reality of one’s community, with its riches, its challenges, its projects.
The FMA shared what emerged from the reflection on the profile of the future Provincial in the light of the current challenges. After a time of celebration, the discernment process concluded.
Thinking and praying for you all during these challenging times. May you find the best person to lead your province into the future.
with affection.
Kathleen Taylor fma