“God has already made his choice, it is up to you to hear his voice and listen to his will.”
With these words, Father Fernando Mendoza, SJ motivated the Chapter Assembly on the day of retreat prior to the election of the Superior General. Thus, we prepared our entire being to seek and find the will of God and choose the Sister who during the next six years would provide the service of authority as Superior General.
The Word of God accompanied us on this day.
- God's call to Gideon in the Book of Judges 6, 11-23, made it clear that God calls the least expected people and entrusts them with a mission: "Go with that strength that you have... I will be with you."
- The prophet Jeremiah 1, 4-10, put before us the premise of God's election from the maternal womb and the assurance of God's faithfulness in the fulfillment of his Word: " So am I, a watcher of my word to fulfill it" .
- The choice of David in I Samuel 16, 1-13, opened the very heart of God to us: “Man looks at appearances, God looks at the heart.”
- The nascent Church in Acts of the Apostles 1, 12-26, gave us the insistent prayer: “You Lord, who know the hearts of all, show us which one you have chosen.”
And so, attentive to the voice of God, on December 6, the entire Chapter Assembly prepared to welcome the Sister that God had already chosen.
We asked for the strength of the Spirit and let the Lord show us the way, trying to choose with conscience and responsibility. This was the mission entrusted to each of the Chapter Sisters.
“Show us, Lord, whom you have chosen.” And God manifested his will.
Our Sister Loreto Navarrete Candia has been elected XIII Superior General of the Congregation for the next six-year term.
Once elected, the former Superior General asked her if she accepted this service that God asked of her to serve the Congregation. After acceptance, the Assembly burst into heartfelt applause. Close hugs and a song asking the Lord to bless her. Then we entrusted ourselves to the intercession of María Rosa Molas, each of the sisters kissing her relic and singing the song “Eres tú”.
Also thanks to Antonia Munuera Alemán for her dedication in the service of this six-year term that is ending.
The Eucharist at noon expressed our thanksgiving to God who confirms us in his election and brings us together at his only table.
The Coordinating Commission informs us of the pending calendar for the Chapter:
- On December 10 there will be the election of the sister Councilors who will accompany Loreto in the government of the Congregation for the next six years.
- On December 11 we will have the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by the Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life Mons. João Braz de Aviz
- On December 13 we will attend the General Audience of the Holy Father.
Our thanksgiving to all the Sisters of the Institute for accompanying us with prayer in this Chapter journey. We extend our thanks to the whole Consolation Family which is also present through the messages of adhesions to the Chapter.
With strength we sing: “The Lord is my Shepherd, with Him I shall not want” (Ps. 22)