Sharing from Mel Benedictos, rc

Part of the Reflections from the Young Sisters Meeting

It’s been three weeks since the International Meeting for the young sisters but I am still basking in the afterglow of the wonderful experience. I am awed by the experience of being and working with almost all the young sisters of the congregation. I only fully appreciate the value given to it by our leaders who called this meeting when I listened to each sister of different provinces. In the gathering, I have heard a call to the future. For me, it meant hope and life for the future of the Cenacle. Having listened to their dreams, concerns and desires, I knew in my heart that we are journeying together as one international body to the fulfillment of God’s mission for us. This is a source of joy and confidence even as we fully realized the realities within and outside the congregation.

The process of communal discernment has also made an indelible impact on me. I felt the Holy Spirit had worked powerfully in all our reflections, workshops and sharings. Even the differences in language have not been a barrier to understand each other in a deep way. I realized the value of communal discernment in being “one body.” This is a foundational grace that I believe has to be nurtured if we want to remain committed to the self-surrender of Mother Therese.

The informal and spontaneous sharing during mealtimes and breaks have also been quite impactful for me. Knowing them personally has made me claim my being part of a large sisterhood. I remember Irene Benedetto of the Italian province who I teased as my Italian cousin because of our family names. She readily accepted our connection as “oh yes, globalization!” But seriously, I felt the at-homeness that can only spring forth from oneness in heart and mind. Indeed, this is my home and these are my sisters!

As we synthesized our dreams, desires and hopes for the future in the statement that we will forward to the General Chapter, we know that we also face many challenges, even our own fears, in making true our conviction. However, we will strive with audace!