The second day of the UISG 2025 Plenary Assembly began with a moment of prayer, in deep listening to the Spirit. A prayerful synthesis helped reflect on the reality lived the previous day.

The assembly then warmly welcomed Sister Simona Brambilla, Missionary of Consolata, former Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, who was invited to share her thoughts and experience on the theme: “How does consecrated life represent transforming hope?”

“Our time is like a night. But it is in the night that the moon shines.” With these evocative words, Sister Simona offered a profound reflection on how consecrated life can today be a sign of transforming hope in the Church and the world.
The moon does not overpower or blind — Sister Simona continued — it dwells among the stars, inhabits the sky of communion, and precisely for this reason becomes an image of today’s Church: it reflects a light that is not its own, just as women religious shine only when they are oriented toward the Lord. And yet, night is not only darkness. It is also a space for creativity, intuition, and birth. As on the Easter night, it is a time of labor for a new life, small, fragile, but full of hope. In a world that fears the night, consecrated life reminds us that it is precisely there that God speaks, that hope sprouts, that prophecy takes shape.

At the conclusion of Sister Simona’s address, the participants asked profound questions about formation that respects the person, about human and prophetic leadership, and about faithfulness to mission in contexts of fragility. Sister Simona responded by emphasizing the need to initiate deep human and spiritual processes, to create safe spaces where each sister can “unpack the suitcase of her heart,” and to live an authority that, like God, becomes small, kneels, and walks humbly alongside.

The Eucharistic celebration, presided over by Father Aitor Jiménez Echave, C.M.F., Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, highlighted three key words: fragility, sharing, and mercy — interpreting fragility as the strength of love that gives itself.

After the midday meal and in the presence of Sister Simona, the UISG also wished to mark its 60 years of life with a symbolic gesture.
A cake was cut for the occasion, in an atmosphere of joy and gratitude, thus solemnly inaugurating the Jubilee Year. This celebration marks six decades of commitment, service, and collaboration among the member congregations, united in the shared mission of witnessing to consecrated life at the heart of the world.

In the afternoon, Sister Mary Barron presented the UISG Strategic Plan for the next six years, the result of a synodal journey that identified key priorities and actions to be undertaken.

The day concluded with spiritual conversations at the sharing tables, followed by the official launch of the “Anna Trust” Foundation — an initiative dedicated to supporting elderly sisters — born from the collaboration between UISG and four congregations, with the support of the Hilton Foundation and the presence of Sister Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF.
“Elderly sisters are wisdom; their witness is a treasure for all of us,” said Mother Elda during the presentation.

View the photo album from the second day