On Sunday, 6th October 2024, we arrived in Rome. Gertrud Mallya IBVM, Rainer Boniface IBVM, Julia Munene IBVM and Samuel Gitau came from Kenya, Helena Erler CJ from Germany. For most of us, it was the first time, and it was like a dream come true. We were hosted at the CJ generalate and received a very warm welcome.
On Monday, 7th October, 2024, we began our workshop organized by SOFIA, the Salvatorian Office for International Aid. We had an eventful week full of insights and learned new methods of approaching donors. It was very enriching meeting people from all over the world and feeling the openness to shareour giftedness and expertise about projects and fundraising experiences in general. We had very able tutors who taught us how to write and submit a good proposal, plan a budget, implement approved projects, and monitor and evaluate them.
Besides this, we enjoyed the daily journey on the metro and marveled at the public transport in general, how well organized and timely everything works even when the stations are overcrowded. In the evenings, we enjoyed having dinner with the sisters and guests from the CJ community. We really felt at home.
It was very interesting listening to each other’s vocational stories and how they were inspired by our foundress Mary Ward. We also shared our experiences in our previous and current missions and our hope and longing for more in becoming one.Throughout the week, we provided each other with mutual support and genuine concern. No one was excluded, and we already felt like one big Mary Ward family. This experience was very moving for us, and we are thankful to each one of us for enriching our lives.
At the end of the week, Samuel said: “Knowing that the days draw closer for the two congregations, CJ and IBVM to finally unite and operate as one body, it was evident during the weekthat the values of their foundress are deeply inculcated to both.This in my view is in line with Pope Francis’s vision of synodality, where all bodies working for Christ should unite and address problems ailing humanity. As I wind up, I would wish to encourage CJ and IBVM to continue with the same spirit as they have already made that leap of faith as per the previous general chapter.”
Sr. Helena Erler CJ