‘Behold how good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity’ (Ps 133).
It was a meeting that united the minds and hearts of all the Provinces of the Daughters of Charity in Africa and Madagascar. Thirty Daughters of Charity from the eight Provinces of Africa, Madagascar and the Mission of Kenya convened at Chanzo, Kenya from the 26th of May to 4th of June 2023; these were the Visitatrices, Councillors for formation and Sisters responsible for Initial formation in Mission, as well as the Coordinator of the Kenyan Mission and the formators.
During this encounter, topics on the vocation and life of the Daughters of Charity were discussed. These included:
- Accompaniment of Sister Servants in their mission of animation and formation.
- Formation of formators for a profound process of accompaniment and discernment.
- Inter-cultural community for mission in a violent-torn Africa.
- Deepening the sense of belonging to the Company and the sense of the Sacred.
- The role/challenge of modern technology in formation and the formation of critical thinking in the face of social media bombardment.
- Missionary Approach to Development Initiatives.
All these topics were very well addressed by experienced resource persons including our Superioress General, Sister Françoise Petit and our General Councillor, Sister Theresa Eke, among others. Questions that touched the core of our lives as Daughters of Charity were raised and addressed. Through our encounter with one another, we enriched ourselves by reflection and sharing of our lived experiences. Ultimately, we discerned together on how to approach these realities for a more prophetic witnessing as Daughters of Charity in our world today, and on the formation and accompaniment of actual and incoming Daughters of Charity, particularly in Africa.
