The first days of November in the novitiate were quite full. Sr. Maureen Cusick came for a session on Human, Spiritual and Theological Development. The three-week session ended with a 4-days of biblical reflections days. In her words: “From the very first hours of our existence until the last moments of our life we are learning. We learn how to articulate words, how to interact with people, how to behave in society, how to reveal that we are the children of God and how to reveal God to others.” In Genesis 1:27 it is written: “God created humankind in God’s own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” In the Psalms we see the many wonderful descriptions of God, God is kindness, God is love, God is a protector, God is good, a helper, merciful and gracious. Because we are created in the image of God this means that we have all the qualities that God has. The only thing that we have to do is to …

These days we are really happy to have sister Maureen Cusick with us in our community. For two weeks, she is going to help us to understand the stages of our Human, Spiritual and theological development. From the very first hours of our existence until the last moments of our life we ​​are learning. We learn how to articulate words, how to interact with people, how to behave in society, how to reveal that we are the children of God and how to reveal God to others. In Genesis 1:27 is written: ,,God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” How beautiful! To be created in God’s image! But what is God like? We can see from the psalms the many wonderful descriptions of God . God is kindness, love a protector, good, just, a helper, merciful gracious etc. Because we were created in the image of God this must mean that we have all the qualities that God has. The only …

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant…” I am in Israel for 55 days, I am gradually becoming accustomed to the place, I arrived in the middle of the celebrations of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah. Culture is strongly influenced by the Jewish religion, Israel is a land and a people. Here they speak three languages that mix with the three religions that exist here. I am living in Ein Karem a charming village, which has a good green area for walking, places to have coffee, restaurants, and enjoy a delicious ice cream in the summer. For us Christians Ein Karem has a special meaning for being supposedly the hometown of Zechariah and Elizabeth, and the site of the Visitation, where Mary visited her cousin Elizabeth before John’s birth. For me it is a privilege to be here, in this place built by Father Alfonso and to visit his tomb is a blessing. Also …

Autumn is the season that makes the connection between summer and winter. The state of mind that emerges from autumnal feasts is the joy of the fruit of the earth mixed with melancholy for the gloomy weather. Autumn is the season of rains, trees that weep in the rhythm of the falling of the leaves, clouds and the traveling or migration of birds. The spirit of these days in Ein Karem is the spirit of harvest. Together with the workers and some volunteers we have been picking the olives from our garden. One day we received help from the smallest member of the Sion family, the great-grandson of Sr. Anne Catherine. A sweet and very clever child. Some of us had this experience for the first time in their lives among these ‘first-timers’, I count myself. It was a great experience but the aspect I like most about this type of work is the joy of working together. I always think how good God is to take care of all beings. I believe that these …

As the summer heat has changed into autumn warmth and refreshing winds in both morning and evening, it was most enjoyable with the High Holidays of the Jewish Community. In the months of September and October we had the arrival of Erika from Brazil and Iulia from Romania. Now we anticipate the arrival of Helen from Costa Rica. Our participation in the Paris Assembly was life giving. It was so encouraging to see and hear of the life of the Congregation with so much openness and eagerness to engage in the needs of the world. We began with the reading from Gen: 21:11, “And the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, “Where have you come from and where are you going?” Piluca had us begin with this question which we also will hear in the Novitiate community as we begin our Formation program. At the start of the assembly we asked ourselves the basic question, and here in the novitiate we ask “Why do I choose to live …

When I left Brazil, I didn’t realise just how much God had to tell me about travelling, about people, about cultures, languages and places … My time in London was excellent. But, when it ended… my heart was heavy when leaving the Sisters of Notre Dame de Sion in London and beginning something new. I travelled to Israel on September 3rd, 2018, and in my mind there was one single thought. “My Lord and My God, I believe, but increase my faith, my courage and my desire to follow you!” The trip was calm, until Barcelona, where I had to change flights. When they understood that I was going to Israel, a man called me into a room and asked me some questions about my stay in Jerusalem. I responded easily to the four questions he asked me. After that, I had to go through another small check of my hand – luggage. I had brought with me, among other things, a copy of the book ‘The Little Prince’, (it was a present from the …