From 13 to 31 January 2025, the 30th General Chapter of the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence took place in Curitiba, Brazil.
Over the past 18 days, we have lived meaningful experiences of what it means to be an international Congregation. Throughout this time, we have shared moments of communion and closeness with each and every one through reports, dialogues on congregational reality, sharing about our life in mission, and messages. Thank you!
As Pilgrims of Hope, we have engaged ourselves in an ongoing synodal exercise of listening and dialogue, discernment, and confronting the challenges that have arisen. Taking into account both our possibilities and our limitations, we elected the new General Coordination Team, defined the Congregational Horizon, and established Priorities for the next five years.
Here we share the Congregational Horizon for the 2025-2030 Term:
“With eyes fixed on Jesus Christ,
as pilgrims of hope, trusting in the strength of the powerless,
let us move foward together in caring for Life.“
On January 31, 2025, at 10 a.m., in St. Augustine Church in Curitiba, Brazil, the solemn Eucharistic Celebration marking the conclusion of the 30th General Chapter of the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence began. The Celebration was presided over by Bishop Itacir Brassiani, with the concelebrating priests: Joachim de Andrade, SVD, Paulus Koko Tolang, SVD, Volnei Carlos de Campos, and Fr. Alexsander Cordeiro Lopes (Pastor of St. Augustine and St. Monica Parish). In addition to the Chapter members, Sisters representing various regions of Brazil, Messengers of Divine Providence, laypeople, friends, and supporters of the sisters were also present.
The Celebration was marked by the beauty of interculturality and internationality, reflected in the entrance procession with the flags of each country carried by the General Coordination; the entrance of the Word with an African dance; the offertory procession with a dance representing the three islands of Indonesia; and hymns sung in various languages. During the thanksgiving moment, the intergenerational aspect was highlighted: Sisters of different ages and stages of formation brought pieces of Styrofoam in various colours, which were assembled to form a single heart, completed with the symbol of the Congregation. This symbolic gesture was carried out to the sound of the Holy Year - Jubilee 2025 Hymn, sung in five languages by the sisters.
During the thanksgiving moment, Sr. Sandra Judite Roaris expressed gratitude for the presence of all those who came to participate and to Divine Providence, who accompanied the Chapter’s journey. She emphasized the importance of embracing "smallness" as a vocation and as a sign of prophecy and resiliance. She highlighted the role of each sister in the mission of caring for life and protecting the vulnerable. She recalled that, throughout the General Chapter, participants were encouraged to look to Jesus Christ and strengthen their commitment as Consecrated Women. She stressed that the decisions made are manifestations of faithfulness to the Charism and creative responses to contemporary needs. Confidence in the power of smallness is essential for service in partnership with the community and the Church, calling everyone to move forward together in the care of life, always looking to Jesus. She concluded by inviting the Chapter members to come forward and proclaim the Congregational Horizon in six languages (Portuguese, English, German, Indonesian, Dutch and Spanish).
In the strength of the Resurrected, as Sisters of Divine Providence, together with the laypeople who walk with us, we want to recognize and spread the Signs of Providence, being lamps lit in the nights of the world.
“Thus far, the Lord has led us, and surely, from here onward, He will continue to guide us”.