Day 1 of the Consultative Meeting of the Holy Spirit Region
May 2nd, 2026, marked the beginning of a significant consultative meeting for the Holy Spirit region, in Addis Ababa. This gathering was not just a meeting but a sacred time to reflect, share, and envision the future with hope and unity. Here's a recap of the day's events:
The day began with a heartfelt morning prayer led by Sr. Suany De Oliveira, setting a contemplative tone for the discussions to follow. Following the prayer, Sr. Hanna Dima, Regional Councilor, extended a warm welcome to all attendees, expressing gratitude for their presence and participation. Sr. Patricia Godoy welcomed Sr. Eliane Azevedo, the General Superior, along with her translator, Sr. Maria Ines of Notre Dame. Sr. Eliane greeted us with warmth and shared insightful thoughts, wishing everyone a productive and enlightening meeting.
The morning session featured an engaging presentation by Fr. Raymond Manyanga SJ, focusing on the theme of Discernment led by the Holy Spirit. His presentation provided valuable insights and encouraged deep reflection. Through his presentation, there were some moments where we were invited to introspect and connect personally with the themes discussed, share our thoughts on our assigned tables and a plenary session allowing a broader sharing of thoughts and reflections from the group discussions.
The morning concluded with a Eucharistic celebration led by Fr. Raymond, providing a moment of spiritual unity and reverence.
The afternoon was dedicated to reinforcing the region's life and mission through various discussions: This involved personal reflection where the sisters pondered on how each could contribute uniquely to the region's mission, group sharing which reconvened to discuss personal insights and experiences and plenary sharing.
The day concluded with a poignant session titled Seeds of Hope, where the sisters were encouraged to write down: One Hope/Dream for the Region and One Quality of a Leader. This closing activity served as a powerful reminder of the collective aspirations and leadership qualities that would guide the region's future endeavors.
