The 8th Regional Assembly of the of the Daughters of Divine Providence in Indian region was celebrated from 4th to 6th October 2022 in the Regional House, Bangalore. The theme of the Assembly was “Tracing God`s Providence in Communion, Participation and Mission in the church” in symphony with the Synodal pathways of the church.
We were all in one heart and mind as the previous day was dedicated as “Region day”. It was a preparation to get into this special event of the region. The day was commenced with an hour of adoration conducted by the regional team, where we were guided to reflect on the uniqueness of each one as FDP. The narration of rainbow colours immersed us to value the uniqueness of one another, for within each soul dwells a rainbow of many colors. The heart of the day was the solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist by Rev. Fr. Biju OP. In the homily he elaborated the charism of our institute and how to seek the kingdom of God and it`s righteousness. After the delicious lunch all the sisters relaxed with an outing and recreational moments.
Morning Dew drops of blessings.
The day broke in silence with the outpouring of God’s blessings as we began the Morning Prayer. During the Eucharistic celebration, the celebrant asked God’s blessings upon the institute, Region, above all upon each participant of the Regional assembly and stirred our hearts as we encountered the Lord in our life.
An opening symbolic prayer service was followed after the breakfast to set the tone from the onset: “Fear not Jesus is in your boat; He is the Captain”. The article 155 from the constitution was read to discern the importance of the event and each sister was presented with a boat as a symbol of once own life and placed it in the assembly Logo where it revealed the sea to voyage with Jesus. The prayer spoke to the heart of each one and we moved to the hall invoking the Holy Spirit through a dance.
Official Declaration Open of the 8th Regional Assembly:
The long awaited time for the opening of the 8th Regional assembly has arrived. With an Inaugural Decree, the Regional Superior, Sr. Mary Thumbalan opened officially the Regional Assembly, 2022 aiming on the benevolence of God and craving for an innovative inspiration for a renewal of the church and of the institute. The participants expressed their joy and gratitude by clapping their hands. The Decree stated that “the Regional Assembly is in accordance to the constitution number 155 and in obedience to the Spirit and in full fidelity to our missionary charism as approved by the holy Church and the institute. It is also the greatest symbol of the communion, participation and mission of life in the church and in the Region.” The members were driven to return to the wellspring of our founding charism through an Institutional Anthem.
In her welcome message, the regional superior invited the assembly body to see this event as a special moment of discernment and she highlighted the purpose of the assembly quoting from Pope Francis words from the preparatory document of the Synod. “To plant dreams, draw forth insights and visions, allow hope to flourish, inspire trust, weave together relationships, awaken a dawn of hope, learn from one another and create a bright resourcefulness that will enlighten our minds, warm our hearts and give strength to our hands”. Towards the end,
she welcomed the gathering and presented the Agenda of the coming days.
There were four Input sessions on these three days.
Rev. Fr. Xavier Manavath CMF, the Episcopal Vicar for the Religious of Bangalore Arch Diocese, an external facilitator gave an input session on “The role FDP in journeying together in the Synodal Pathways.” He elaborated the Synodality at Congregational, inter Congregational and inter vocational level. He enlightened our Consecrated life in the light of Synodality and how to live the Evangelical Councils as FDP in the church by re-discovering the Original meaning of the Evangelical Councils.
Sr. Reena Puthenpurackal, the vicar updated the pattern on liturgy animation. It was indeed a great help.
To rejuvenate our religious life in the context of present challenges, the values and priorities of our consecration, and the stress management in the community and missionary life, the director of Dharmaram college (theological institute) Rev. Dr. Paul Anchandy was invited to give an input session. He began his session exploring the importance of Regional assembly and its outcome. He turned out attention to boundless trust in Divine Providence and to look at us critically in the mirror of the founders to see the similarities and differences at present and to bridge the gap in today`s context going to the sources and reading the signs of the time by reimaging, renewing and re-founding.
It was an hour of eye opening for everyone in the finance and administration as an external facilitator Sr. Anjaly SJC, the chartered accountant presented to us the methods to keep our account with transparency and accuracy. It was really a helpful session to know more about the rules and regulations and functions of the registered societies and its various accounts. She also gave some instructions on how could we move smoothly in the financial matters.
The Closing Decree:
The 8th regional assembly solemnly closed by reading a closing Decree by the Regional Superior. She said “We have journeyed together and we have reached to the culmination of this event which we have begun on Tuesday 4th October 2022. With joy and renewed hope, we present to God what we lived during the assembly. I am proud of each sister of the Indian Region as we are gifted with one’s own uniqueness. Each one’s commitment and hard work is admirable and commendable. May we become happier people – real self-givers sustained by faith and love, healed by forgiveness, nourished by gratitude, adorned with wisdom, able to appreciate and enjoy the simple joys of one`s own life and of others, bearing with others in all circumstances and committed to a larger goal that give meaning to our own lives and of others.May our journey through life leave a long and divine flash of goodness and we become stars of happiness lighting up a part of the sky. As we return to our ordinary daily life, we are invited to make the shifts that this regional assembly has invited us to embrace. So, let us see the signs of hope and launch to trace God`s providence in communion, participation and mission for a zealous future.”
At the culmination, we joyfully sang the hymn to our holy founder Ven. Mother Elena Bettini.