“There is a risk of committing ourselves to organizing initiatives of spiritual life, of announcing the Gospel, of charity, concentrating instead on organizing events, taking for granted the care of fraternal relationships. Instead, we feel the need to live these initiatives by strengthening the evangelical quality of affective relationships, among ourselves and with others.”

This observation was shared by Sr. Antonella Fraccaro, Superior General of the Institute of Disciples of the Gospel. As she emphasized, the events carried out must be at the service of the mission, as well as fully experienced on a personal and community level.

Sr. Irena Kopanicová of Slovakia, Superior General of the Sisters of Mercy of St. Vincent de Paul, with whom UISG has spoken recently, has the same experience.

“Religious life has made and continues to make history, since it is a condition of life that reaches multiple cultural, social, fragile and poverty situations, in every corner of the world,” emphasized Sr. Antonella.

This is because it promotes, through its condition of fraternal life, community expressions of care, proximity, taking charge, in the ordinariness of daily life.

One of the reasons for hope for our religious family – explained the Superior General of the Institute of Disciples of the Gospel – is the commitment to keep, on the part of each sister and together, the affective life in relation to the mission:

“We think that these attentions, since they are obvious, risk instead being neglected, in a fragmented and individualized cultural context, where we tend to live affections in a self-referential way, rather than nurturing conditions of fraternity that guarantee a life of hope, for us and for others.”

The Italian religious woman appreciates many occasions that characterize religious life in the world organized by the UISG that can guarantee a Christian quality of religious life and its value for the Church and for the world:

“We need to deepen, among us religious women, new ways that arouse, in the Church, among bishops, priests and lay people, the taste of collaborating with religious life and appreciating its value, taking into account, in particular, the meaning that each charism has as such and in its feminine expression. ”