It is going to be the first time for Sr. Claudia Cavallaro to participate in the Plenary
Assembly of the UISG. She is the Superior General of the Congregation of the
Ursuline Sisters, known as the Daughters of Mary Immaculate Virgin. This is
what she expects regarding the big event in May:
“To breathe a fraternal and familiar air, share joys, sorrows, hopes, to be aided to
have a global vision of my service.”

This year’s theme of the Plenary Assembly is “Consecrated Life: Hope that
Transforms” which coincides with the Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope. Hope, in fact,
“is not vague optimism”, but it is Christ, explains Sr. Claudia. She is hopeful that
these two events will help us to put Christ back at the center and to “keep us – as
Christians and as consecrated women – going on the path of openness and fraternity
with everyone”.

The Superior General of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate also focuses on the new
leadership of the UISG that will be elected immediately after the Plenary Assembly.
According to her, there is much to preserve:
“The evangelical meaning of obedience, of listening: obedience to God, to the
mission, to life, through means, the sense of community and personal discernment,
the need for requirements, such as a profound interior freedom and the search for
good.”

At the same time, there are things that cannot remain as they have been up to now:
“The figure of authority as authoritarianism, as if the leader had the truth in her
pocket and did not need others. (She should not) delegate much so as not to be

responsible for decisions. The way of thinking and carrying out community
discernment must also be changed, if it is done.”

Then, the Italian Ursuline shares how her congregation is trying to put synodality into
practice:
“Making the most of and exercising the synodal tools and structures that we
already have: community meetings, at regional and Congregation levels,
consultations, especially strengthening training in this sense and personal and
community involvement.”

Furthermore, it is a matter of understanding the importance, beauty and usefulness of
co-responsibility in life among the sisters and in their mission, adds Sr. Claudia:
“At the same time, growing in personal responsibility and co-responsibility one
grows in the sense of belonging and vice versa. The conditions, the requirements,
the ground for living synodality are very important.”

If, however, the conditions and growth in the premises are missing, nothing is done,
Sr. Claudia warns at the end. It is necessary to proceed together, reflect and share and
these are things that cannot be taken for granted, she concludes.

Watch the interview in French HERE