The 9th regional assembly of the daughters of divine Providence in Indian region touched the core of 29 participants who had assembled at Elena Bettini Regional House, Bangalore from 20th to 23rd October 2023. The regional house was decked with the symbols of welcome and the theme of the Regional Assembly. This assembly called us to continue the mission of Jesus Christ with faith, hope, and love in service.
20th October, Friday
The 9th Regional Assembly began today at the feet of the Eucharistic Lord. Rev. Fr. Sandiago OP celebrated the Holy mass and prayed specially for us
and for the success of the Regional Assembly.
This time the assembly was organized with one-day retreat in order to have an experience of the Lord and to look into ourselves whether we live in its fullness the divine call and Christ mission that we have received from the Lord. Sr. Shanty, the Regional superior introduced Br. John Antony , the preacher of the day. He is the man who lives with the strength of the Holy communion for the last 5 months.
The preacher began his talk saying that we should always pray through Mary our mother because Jesus came through Mary and his second coming
also may be through Mary. He got a vision that Mother Mary who was shedding tears and interceding for all of us to her son Jesus especially
during the Holy mass. He quoted from Lk 1:26-27 “Here I am Lord your hand maid” and reminded us that in the response of Mary to angel represents three vows- obedience, chastity and poverty which we are called to live as consecrated women like our Mother Mary.
He also has given us lot of practical information for the growth of our spiritual life and how to grow more in holiness and its fullness. As the spirit was guiding him, he instructed us to bear with one another in charity and forgiveness in any circumstances of life. And informed us that the key to open the door for getting more vocation is our holy life in the communities and asked us to be aware of the call within a call. He also advised that if we need to gain grace and live in grace, we need to pay the price. Thus, he has given many practical tips and examples to increase our faith and to grow in holiness. We did not realize the time that has passed and no one felt tired to listen to him. Though we fasted that day, the word of God strengthened our soul. The talk continued up to 6 pm. Soon after, we had adoration
which was conducted by the brother. During the adoration he bound all our infirmities and problems as we placed at the feet of the Eucharistic Lord. After the adoration the brother wanted to meet everyone personally, but only few could meet since he has to rush to the airport. Representing the region, Sr. Lucy Puthenpurackal proposed vote of thanks for brother and Mr. Paulose for boosting and awakening our souls to pray and to be with the Lord and presented them with a token of love. Then we broke the fast and thanked the Lord for revealing many things which was hidden in our life and blessing us. Thus a wonderful day came to an end joyfully.
21st October, Saturday
The opening ceremony of the assembly began with the solemn Eucharistic celebration by Rev. Fr. Prakash Menezes, our parish priest. Sr. shanty, the regional superior welcomed the gathering before the Eucharistic celebration.
In her introductory talk she highlighted that we are onsecrated women religious, called to live in freedom and serving others with
compassionate heart. During the celebration of Holy Eucharist, the celebrant prayed for Gods blessings upon the members of the regional assembly and stirred our hearts to live our charism” Seek First the Kingdom of God…” with the theme “called to continue the mission of Christ; Firm in faith, Vibrant in hope, Rooted in love, One in service- FDP in MISSION. At the end of the mass we thanked God for the manifold blessings that God has showered upon the region.
At 8:50 am the regional assembly was commenced with a symbolic prayer service led by the regional team where we were carried to assimilate our life into the theme of our assembly: Firm in faith, Vibrant in hope, Rooted in love, One in service as FDP IN MISSION. We, the FDP family is called to continue the mission of Jesus Christ anchoring on the Charism the trustful abandonment in the Divine Providence.
During the adoration, as a gratitude and love to God, the regional team and the local superiors offered different symbols and prayed for the manifold blessings of God. These symbols reflected our state of being as we journey together as pilgrims and missionaries working in different parts of India and to become aware that we are the missionaries of hope, love and faith in the footprints of our Divine master as our Holy founders lived and left behind for each daughter of divine providence.
In the second part of the prayer, a perfect ambience to the 9th regional assembly of daughters of divine providence was set by the regional team through a deeply sacred opening ritual where the regional superior lit the candle from the main candle and was given it to all the sisters. It reminded us of three things in accordance with the synod church that we are pilgrim, FDP on journey with hope in communion with the entire congregation and the church.
Sr. Shanty, the regional superior with the lamp lit, led the entire gathering into the assembly hall where the sisters placed the lighted candles around the assembly logo. This symbolic action tells us that in our journey, we are united, sustained and strengthened reciprocally.
Now it was the time for the opening of 9th regional assembly. With an inaugural decree, Sr. Shanty, the regional superior opened officially the 9th Regional Assembly 2023 focusing on our mission which calls us to witness to the providence of God being rooted in faith, hope, love and service. This reality is stated in constitution number; 5 “Be on fire with love. So that you can experience profoundly the concerns of God and our neighbor.” The participants expressed their joy and gratitude by putting their hands together. Then the participants were driven to return to the wellspring of our founding charism through an institutional anthem.
The regional superior presented the agenda with the key words of pope Francis “I encourage you to be the prophets of hope with eyes turned to the future where the spirit pushes you to continue to do great things with you”. And she concluded in the words of Pope Francis “We think of Zacchaeus who went up a tree and hurried down from the tree to meet Jesus and
welcomed Him into his home; of women and disciples who on Easter morning ran to the tomb and back to the upper room to announce that Christ is risen. Those who love do not stand idly by: one who loves, serves, hurries to love.” Then she welcomed all the participants with the message of called to continue the mission of Christ with the theological virtues assuring and hoping that this 9th regional assembly may bear abundant fruits in our personal life and the life of the institute.
– The detailed report of the 8th Regional Assembly – 2022 was presented by Sr. Lucy uthenpurackal, the regional secretary. It made the members to ruminate and live the glorious moment of the previous assembly.
The proceedings of the rest of the day included community and financial reports from various communities. Nine reports were presented and a comprehensive view of all the activities brought in loads of appreciation from one and all.
Reflecting on the reports of the communities and the financial reports, Sr. Mary Thumbalan, the vicar told that all the important incidents have to be included in the community reports without fail and no need to include the
program which take place in other communities and the format of the financial report has to be updated.
The assembly gathered at 2:30 pm for an input session in the conference hall. Sr. Mary Thumbalan, the vicar welcomed the resource person, Rev. Fr. Richrd Menezes, OCD as an intelligent and well qualified speaker. He enlightened us on the theme of the assembly He explained the need to authenticate our common goals of community life, spiritual life and apostolic life in the light of our charism “ Seek First the Kingdom of God…..”.He also added that the ongoing formation should help us to face the challenges of our personal discernment of our vocation and the vocation promotion and also shared with us how to strengthen the spirit of our charism and facilitate the familiarity with the founders life in order to revive in us and create in the young minds the love and belongingness to the religious family.
This session motivated us to serve others in love, attracted by the face of Jesus and walk with the transformative experience as it happened in the lives of the disciples who were on the way to Emmaus. It was also a great moment to review our call within a call to be a Christ like missionary and refocus our mission and vision according to the signs of the times. Sr. Daisy
Kuriyedan expressed a word of thanks to Rev. Fr. Richard for his detailed explanation of the theme of the assembly.
Presentation of the Regional and Financial Reports
The regional superior, Sr. Shanty panamattathil gave a glimpse of important events and programs of the region 2022-23. Sr. Reena Puthepurackal, Regional treasurer presented the regional financial report and made aware of the financial situation of the region. In the evening Kerala community led us into the prayer thanking the Lord for all the blessings that God has showered upon us during the day and prayed rosary that was followed by delicious dinner. At 9pm all were so enthusiastic and joyful to gather once again in the conference hall to play thombola with gift. All enjoyed it and said good night entrusting ourselves in the hands of mother Mary through memorare.
22nd October, Sunday
We began the new dawn with a well-prepared hour of adoration by Elena Bettini convent, Palamanar, praising and thanking the Lord for the very gift of Sr. Daisy Alphonsa as she was celebrating her birthday that was followed by the Eucharistic celebration. At 9: 15 am we began the meeting invoking the presence of the Holy Spirit which was followed by the assembly prayer. The session started with the message of mother general by the regional superior “I am with you with the heart of the mother foundress as she invites us to research First the kingdom of God and His righteousness”. And then the regional superior continued with the talk on community life. In her talk she focused on the communion in the community life. Communion
cannot come by merely following the common time table, rather it comes about when individual is made to feel welcomed, valued, understood and loved in our communities. She also gave few tips to achieve communion in the community life like doing the examination of conscious every day, by appreciating others, not judging others, forgiving others and praying for the grace to live peacefully with all the members in the community. It was followed by certain communications by the regional superior.
After the communication of the regional superior, Sr. Reena Puthenpurackal was asked to explain the certain rules for the liturgy of hours and the Holy mass. This is to give an awareness for the sister on how to pray the liturgy of hours and participate in the Holy mass.
Panel discussion on the suggestions and views of the communities
It was an interesting hour to look forward on the views and visions sent by the communities through a panel discussion. Sr. Mary Thumbalan as the moderator, Sr. Saly Padinjaruveedu and Sr. Rani Chittinappally as the members of the panel discussion were welcomed on the dais. It was the platform for everyone to express their ideas and opinions by listening to each other and to be open minded for the better future of the region.
There was active participation from the members of the assembly. Hence, we had to discontinue the meeting for some time since we got a sad news that Sr. Reenass dear pappa has passed away. We all felt sad and prayed for his soul and consoled sr. Reena. Soon after Sr. Reena. Sr. Valsa, Sr. Lucy and Sr. Jessy left to Kerala for the funeral service. Then we continued the meeting.
At the culmination of this solemn moment of regional assembly. Sr. Shanty, the regional superior expressed her sincere gratitude to all who are and were instrumental in making this regional assembly a successful one. She specially thanked the regional team who supported her to plan out everything very systematically and shouldering the responsibility with devotion and commitment. She also thanked for the support of her community members and the neighboring community and all the members of the assembly.
The assembly members expressed their gratitude to the regional superior and her team for organizing so meticulously the regional assembly of 2023.
The closing Decree: The 9th Regional Assembly closed by reading a closing Decree by the Regional Superior. She said, “We have arrived at the conclusion of our 9th Regional Assembly, which we began on 21st October 2023, this intense moment of grace-filled listening, discerning and deciding, guided by the gentle and at the same time, strong presence of the Spirit of Jesus our Master. In the days when we reviewed the life and mission of our Region through the reports presented and the discussion that ensued, I truly experienced, in a tangible, and even surprising way that we are Called to Continue the Mission of Jesus Christ: in Faith, Hope and Love. As an institute we are on a threshold, a new moment entering into an unknown future. I believe that which will guide us over the threshold is the flame of zeal expressed in our passion for the mission of Jesus Christ and our passion for humanity. The flame – ignite the fire. We are on a journey of the heart. Our hearts burn with love for Jesus Christ – this love ignites the flame of zeal to share this love, this enflamed heart of love with others. Receive this love – be immersed in this love share this love – ignite this flame of love in others.
At the culmination, we joyfully sang a hymn to Elenna Bettini. While singing the song the sisters carried out the candles that was placed by them at the beginning of the assembly on the assembly logo. It symbolically tells us that in our journeying together Lord may help us to be a light in this world for him. Our desire is to reflect God`s light and be a good witness and point
people to the light who is Christ as we returned to our communities.