(ANS - Rome) - The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians from all parts of the world have reached Rome to take part in the XXIII General Chapter of the Institute with the theme "Being with the young, a Home that evangelizes." The General Chapter is definitely an opportunity and an experience of reflection and invocation of the Spirit to launch the Institute towards the coming years.

At this 23^rd General Chapter in the history of the Institute, 194 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians will participate. Among them there are 16 nuns of the General Council, 77 Provincials, 5 Superiors of the Vice Provinces, 92 delegates and 4 invited. There are 113 Chapter members participating for the first time at the Chapter. There are 12 participants of African origin, 33 of Asian origin, 76 from Europe, 73 from America. The one who participates in the Chapter is the mouthpiece of the charismatic journey of 12,959 FMA sisters who operate worldwide. Currently they are well distributed in 94 countries among the continents: There are 516 nuns in the 24 countries of Africa and Madagascar, 4,031 are in the 23 nations of America, 2, 473 are in the 21 countries of Asia, 5,890 are in the 22 nations of Europe, and 49 sisters in the 4 nations of Oceania. These are numbers that indicate the vitality and expansion of the Institute.

On September 8, the first meeting of the Chapter was held with the greeting of the Mother Yvonne Reungoat, dedicated to mutual understanding; while in the assembly meeting, coordinated by the Chapter Moderator, Sister Chiara Cazzuola, the material and some information to guide the beginning of the Chapter were given to the participants.

On September 9, the Chapter members will travel to Mornese, where from the 10^th -17th of the same month, they will live the experience of the Spiritual Retreat, to be preached by Msgr. Thomas Menamparampil, SDB, Archbishop Emeritus of Guwahati, India. On the 17^th morning, they will move to Turin for the closing Eucharist of the Retreat, and in the afternoon they will visit the community of Nizza Monferrato.

On September 22^nd  there will be the official opening of the General Chapter XXIII, the Rector Major of the Salesians, Fr Ángel Fernandez Artime will also attend, and that it will be broadcast live streaming in "Direct from the Chapter" on the website of the Institute. Through the same section you can also follow the entire Chapter events and participate in an interactive way.

Posted on 09/09/2014