On 24 and 25 August 2018 the first Pre-Chapter of the Province: ‘Mother of God’ was held in Porto Alegre. The theme "With Jesus, in prophetic defense of life!" and the motto "Rise up, go out!" animated the entire chapter process with the participation of all the sisters in the province.
As sisters of Divine Providence, we went with the 40 Chapter Delegates as pilgrims on the way. By SEEING, HEARING, FEELING and ACCEPTING we have perceived deeper the reality of the province during these two days and discovered, where life is growing and challenging us in our search looking for concrete answers.
The chapter had two important dimensions: the first: the concern for the life of the sisters and the specific needs of the province; the second: the opening of new perspectives for the life and activities of the Sisters in the province, in the Church and in the world, according to our charism.
As a culmination of this process, we saw the invitation to go to Bethany, a community beloved by Jesus, in order to orientate our life and our mission in the constant dynamic of "Going out". In following Jesus, we are invited to spread the fragrance of love as disciples and missionaries.
The first Pre-Chapter dealt in particular with the question of the missionary commitment of the sisters, of the administration and the organization of the province.
It has deepened some important aspects in the participatory dynamics, which needed to be evaluated and re-considered for the continuity of the province so that they remain valid and attentive to the challenges and the present needs of the time in the service of the Kingdom of God.