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RECOLLECTION Guide

PRAYING WITH OUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS

                                  RECOLLECTION 2024

The Synod on Synodality has provided an opportunity for the Church to reflect upon various themes, one of which is “Participation, governance, and authority.” In the context of this theme, one of the key questions posed to working groups is, “How can we renew the service of authority and the exercise of responsibility in a missionary synodal Church?” This profound inquiry sets the tone for a deeper exploration of the dynamic interplay between authority, governance, and participation within the Church.

In resonance with this theme, the recollection module for this year is entitled “Praying with our Spiritual Leaders.” Throughout the rich tapestry of our Congregation’s history, we have been blessed by spiritual leaders who have served as beacons of inspiration, persuasion, motivation, and have, in their own unique ways, “lifted us up.” This recollection material endeavors to honor the indelible mark left by significant figures who have played an important role in shaping our Congregation. It contains insightful excerpts from the lives of our Founder, our first Sisters, and General Superiors, individuals who have not only safeguarded our charism but have also guided us with their words and exemplary lives all throughout our synodal journey as Sisters of St. Paul of Chartres.

Through prayer, reflection, and faith sharing, we hope that this monthly recollection guide will help us remember and honor our spiritual leaders and foster a sense of gratitude for their valuable contributions. By revisiting their ideals and virtues, we aim to ensure that their memory lives on through our actions and daily lives, setting an enduring example for future generations to follow.

We express our deep gratitude to the Formation Team of the Philippine Province for their significant contribution in this recollection guide.

                                                                                                                                                                           SPC GENERALATE

                                                                                                                                                                            01 November 2023

December

THEME: The Availability of Mother Anne Marie AUDET

GRACE TO BEG: 

Lord Jesus, I beg for the grace to be available to my brothers and sisters in need, regardless of status, religion, gender, and race.

 Scripture Text:  I Corinthians 9:22

To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.

Mother Anne Marie AUDET

Mother Anne-Marie was elected Superior General for a first term on September 25, 1989 and re-elected for a second term in 1995. During her two terms, she modeled openness to the Spirit and deep respect for the Church, for local cultures, and for the individual. Her observance of subsidiarity empowered the SPC Provinces to have greater responsibility with respect to their life and apostolate in the milieu where they were found. Her simple and relaxed demeanor enabled the Sisters to approach her directly. She had a deep love for the apostle Paul, Patron of the Congregation, and an ardent wish that the Sisters imitate him in his “total availability with regard to God and the Church… and an interior life that thirsts for the absolute, for uprightness and integrity.”

The spirit which moved her is best reflected in her own words: “The Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary, and St. Paul will accompany us along the road to fidelity to the fast and missionary daring, of obedience to the Church and courageous adaptation to our times, of respect for diversity and unity of spirits and hearts.”

POINTS FOR REFLECTION AND SHARING:

  1. Prayerfully read 1 Corinthians 9:22. For Paul, what does it mean to become “all things to all people”? Like him, in what way are you invited to make yourself “all to all”?
  1. Mother Anne Marie has a deep respect for diversity of cultures. Recall your encounters with the Sisters in the community and the people you work with in the ministry. How did you deal with differences in culture, attitudes, ways of doing things, etc.?
  1. Thank the Lord for the opportunities to grow in total availability.

PRACTICE:

Make an effort to get to know the culture of the Sisters in your community and the people in your ministry.