The Mother Province of Providence commemorated the 180th anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation in different ways, in different spaces of life and mission. During the year 2022, Sisters, laymen, laywomen, messengers, and young people of Divine Providence were cheering up and preparing for this festive date. Monthly, they carried out the Prayer Tours, permeated by the testimony of people who have marked the history of the 180 years of the Congregation, with attitudes of trust, perseverance, courage, charity, sensitivity, openness, prophetism, sharing, daring, faith and gratitude. The Jubilee Year provided many moments of communion with the entire Congregation and with all our history. It was the celebration of a long historical walk; it was the moment to have the experience of feeling the power of the Charism alive and present. With Father Eduard Michelis the Congregation was born. And that work, begun on November 3, 1842, in a response of faith to a need at that time, made us reaffirm: It is the Lord's Work!
The festivities of the Jubilee Year began on October 22, 2022, with the celebration of the 180th anniversary. The city chosen to host this historic event was Arroio do Meio/RS, as it was the location of the first Headquarters of the Mother of Providence Province in Rio Grande do Sul. Aloísio Alberto Dilli, Bishop of the Diocese of Santa Cruz of the South, presided over the solemn Eucharistic Celebration. Approximately 250 people gathered: Sisters of Divine Providence, priests, lay people who share the Charism and work with us in the mission, messengers of Divine Providence, aspirants and young people of Providence. It was an exciting Celebration! After a fraternization lunch, there was a Cultural Afternoon where laywomen, lay people, messengers and messengers of Divine Providence, young people and children expressed their affection, recognition and gratitude to the Sisters of Divine Providence, and highlighted the beauty of the charism and spirituality of the Congregation. The presentations, the gestures and the words expressed showed how alive and strong the Charism is ingrained in our institutions and mission spaces. It was a special day to strengthen the bonds of faith and mutual affection, to embrace the future with great hope!
After intense preparation in our Communities and mission spaces, the big day arrived: November 03, 2022 – the day we celebrate 180 years of Foundation! That day a crowd celebrated with us. There were countless celebrations in our Houses, together with the people and collaborators. It was noticed that our charism permeates different realities. The Eucharistic Celebrations of Thanksgiving, the moments of prayer, the fraternization and the tributes marked that day and the days that followed.
Sisters, we are invited to continue responding to the needs of our time in this ever-changing and challenging world. It is time to re-signify our life in mission, to believe, to share gifts and spaces, because our presence as Sisters of Divine Providence goes beyond Provinces and Region to make room for life. “The strength of Charism drives us to take care of Life!”