14 May 2026
Our Provincial and Regional Superiors now travel back to their Provinces and Regions and will bring the spirit and exitement of this first ELM as ONE congregation back to their fellow sisters.
A few participants from other parts of the world are extending their stay in Europe. Some are visiting Loreto and the Basilica della Santa Casa, others are accompanying Sr. Monica Cochan to Romania to get to know ther fellow sisters there and learn more about their mission and ministries.
Blessing to all who travel!
13 May 2026
On the last day of our Extended Leadership Meeting we looked back at the days of exchange, discernment, decisions and prayer. And we went to Santa Prassede to celebrate mass together. This basilica is one that is deeply connected with Mary Ward and her first companions. S. Prassede was their parish church during their thirs stay in Rome between 1632 and 1637. It is also one of the first churches of Rome, dating back to the fourth century. The present church – and the one, Mary Ward and her companions knew – was built in the 9th century and features some beautiful Byzantine mosaics.
12 May 2026
Today we had a closer look on our missions. We told us about our diverse missions in different parts of the world and exchanged about successes, challenges and needs. We looked closer int eh international missions, spoke about the need of formation for international missions and on the interaction and collaboration with lay colleagues and friends of Mary Ward as well as of inter-congregational efforts.
In particular, we discussed how we can put Mary Ward’s mission into practice: going to and being where the need is greatest. We want to go to the margins, to the people who would otherwise receive no help and who need not only our financial support but also our care and our presence.
Another big focus was how we can help our older sisters make the transition from active doing to the mission of being. We heard from one another just how important the ministry of prayer is – for us and for everyone.
11 May 2026
After the break, we all have been refreshed and took a deep dive into our finances. Our General Bursar, Sr. M. Anna, and the Assistant General Bursar, Sr. Hellen, lead us through the work that has been done to successfully merge the two branches of our congregation. They were supported by Owen McCabe from L&P who supports our congregation in the are of finances. We took a closer look on the different financial structures and entities, on property and on new rules of the Holy See concerning financial behalf and accountability.
10 May 2026
On this sunday, the participants had a day off – to enjoy the beauties of Rome or Assisis, meet friends and refresh memories or just to relax and let the experiences of the past days sink in. A day full of quiet and blessings.
9 May 2026
At the ELM, we discussed two important topics today: formation and safeguarding.
When we spoke about formation, we not only thought about formation to become a CJ sister, but also on ongoing formation in our lives, of formation for our lay collaborators and the members of the Mary Ward Family.
During the information and conversations on safeguarding, we have been joined by Sr. Manju, who has been appointed to be our congregational safeguarding officer. Sr. Estela presented the revised safeguarding policy, now available in ten languages. She also announced a series of webinars on this topic to explore our approaches in greater depth and make it easier to apply them in everyday life.
Our discussions on both topics were very in-depth and fruitful. Sharing experiences from different parts of the world broadened all our perspectives and enabled us to delve deeply into our reality and develop new strategies and perspectives for the future.
8 May 2026
Today we discussed about practical questions. There have been proceedures that were designed differently in our two former branches. We exchanged about our experiences and decided together how to go forward in the future.
In the afternoon, our communications officer Esther gave an introduction in the communications strategy with a special focus on crisis communications. We also spoke about means to share about our missions and ministries in different parts of the world.
In the evening we celebrated mass in the beautiful chapel of Villa Lante Center – as we do each day. Some participants took advantage of the rain-free evening and went out for a walk to see Rome by night.
7 May 2026
Today’s focus was the question how to lead our congregation in times that are volatile, uncertain, complexe and full of ambiguity. We learned about the method of adaptive leadership an discussed in which situations and how it can be beneficial to our Provinces and Regions. We got theoretical input from our facilitators Anjet and David, worked with reflections in groups and exchanged in the plenary with all Provincial and Regional Superiors.
In the afternoon, we did a pilgrimage to Santa Maria Maggiore, one of the churches we know to have been valuable to Mary Ward. During one of her stays in Rome she lived close by and often went to pray in front of the reknowned icon Salus Populi Romani.
We visited the grave of Pope Francis and celebrated mass with P. David in one of the chapels of the basilica.
In the evening, we spent a relaxing momnet in a traditional Roman tratorria and enjoyed pizza together.
5 and 6 May 2026
This meeting of all leaders is the first ELM since the merger last November. The way we are working together therefore feels both familiar and new – a first that can build on a solid foundation.
The first two days were devoted to identifying the key issues facing all provinces and regions. The two facilitators, Fr David McCallum SJ and Anjet van Linge, are guiding the Superiors through their process of spiritual discernment.
A key insight from the first two days was the realisation that, on many important issues for the future, there is not just one good and valid position, but rather two poles, both of which are valid and valuable. For good leaders, the challenge is to strike a successful balance and not to fall into one extreme or the other.
Background: What is the ELM?
The Extended Leadership Meeting is an opportunity for the leaders of the different Provinces and Regions to participate in the shaping of the future of the whole congregation. The members of the General Leadership and the Provincial and Regional Superiors discern together how to walk into the unknown and co-create it together.
