From 19-21 September 2019, the meeting of the Sisters from Latin America, who pronounced eternal profession 13-35 years ago, took place in the Provincial House of the Sacred Heart Province in Florianopolis/SC, Brazil. The theme of the meeting was: "In the footsteps of our first missionaries, who collect seeds of the past, nurture and cared for them in the present, so that something New may come forth".
The dynamics of the first day made us feel warmly welcomed. It was also an invitation to openness for a common process with regard to the way of the provinces and the region of Latin America. Sr. Clea Fuck gave us an impulse about the arrival of the first Providence Sisters in Brazil, preparing our hearts for the pilgrimage to some places where our sisters worked and lived as pioneers.
The second day was intended for the pilgrimage. We started at the cemetery of S. Francisco de Assis, at the Itacorubi district in Florianopolis, and visited the sisters, who are now part of the "heavenly province". Through songs and prayers, we expressed gratitude for all that these sisters have accomplished in following Jesus in our congregation. Afterwards we drove to Laguna and Tubarao. Along the way, we reflected on the difficulties, challenges, trust and courage of our pioneers, who left Germany 124 years ago and arrived in Brazil. This experience motivates us to take firm steps in the common process as provinces and regions with faith in Divine Providence.
The last day was intended for reflections and for the reality of the Providence Sisters in Latin America. We concluded the meeting with a Eucharistic celebration.
The encounters that this meeting brought us were a possibility to renew and confirm our "yes" as Sisters of Divine Providence.
(Sr. Noeli Friedrich and Sr. Luzia Amado)