At the beginning of May, Congregational President,          Sister Anne Myers SSJ, joined more than 900 women Religious leaders at a meeting of the International Union of Superiors General, (UISG) held at the Ergife Hotel in Rome. The theme of this year’s gathering was Weaving Global Solidarity for Life. Each day included prayer, formal presentations, reflection, discussion, Mass and, often, panel presentations.

For Anne, this was an experience of an overwhelming sense of God’s presence and grace. She shared some of the highlights. “As I walked into the meeting room on the first day, I had a felt sense of being one among sisters from around the entire planet. The world became an intimate, embraceable world, and that was so wonderful. At my table, there were sisters from five out of seven continents: Asia, Africa. Australia, Europe, and United States. Here was the world, to see, and interact North America. At the Offertory Procession during Mass one person from each continent carried the gifts. I thought, here is what the face of the world looks like. This is the global sisterhood and it was very powerful.”

Other parts of the conference dealt with discussing the various worldwide projects being done through UISG. The progress that has been made through Talitha Kum, which looks at trafficking throughout the world, was shared and discussed. Anne continued, “UISG has just started another inter-congregational project in Sicily helping to deal with the needs of the huge numbers of refugees coming from Syria. Another project focuses on the education of sisters in theological formation around the world. Another powerful moment was listening to a sister from Lebanon speak of the situation in the Middle Eastern countries, where there is serious persecution of the Christians. A group of eight younger sisters from all over the world talked about their experience of religious life. They were articulate, hopeful and committed to Jesus Christ and the Gospel.”

Another highlight for Anne was the opportunity to share about ASEC (African Sisters Educational Collaborative) with the entire group. “I shared how ASEC began and all the wonderful programs that are happening now. This has been a wonderful experience of collaboration for us in the United States with the sisters of Africa. They receive an education and are able to enhance the life of the people of Africa, in a systemic way, to create change in Africa. I felt as if I were speaking for the sisters in Africa about such a worthwhile project and a concrete experience of the global sisterhood.”

The sisters were thrilled to have a private audience with Pope Francis, who was open, relaxed, animated and energized as he discussed issues and answered questions.

Anne continues, “Saint Catherine of Siena said, 'Be who God called you to be and you will set the world on fire.' As I reflect on this time of overwhelming grace, I think, what do we need to do to totally be who God calls us to be? Because we can set the world on fire — each of us, individually and as a group. The Global aspect of this experience captured my heart in a different and deeper way. It was surely a great grace and I am so grateful to the Congregation that I was able to go.”