GSIF joined the inaugural celebration for the 200th Anniversary of the Contemplative Sisters in Angers. Highlighting the profound connection between Contemplation and Mission, the session celebrated shared values, unity, and the enduring partnership between the contemplative sisters and the Foundation.
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On November 11th, the Good Shepherd International Foundation (GSIF) Director Cristina Duranti, along with Sara Pisoni and Alice Coulibaly from the GSIF Africa team, participated in the inaugural celebration for the 200th Anniversary of the foundation of the Contemplative Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, held at the Motherhouse in Angers. This event marked the beginning of a year-long preparation leading to the Bicentenary Jubilee of the founding of the Contemplative Sisters and celebrated the enduring spirit that continues to guide and inspire GSIF as a partner in mission.
During the session, Cristina gave a talk on “Contemplation and Mission”, emphasizing the profound connection between these two dimensions. Love and contemplation are at the core of our shared mission – love for children, girls and women, love for the people we serve worldwide. Through a silent and contemplative exercise, participants were invited to feel this deep sense of loving connection with all the people who are part of the mission.
Following this exercise, Cristina went on to address the crucial role of the contemplative sisters in supporting and inspiring GSIF’s work. Since day one, their prayerful presence and guidance have strengthened the Foundation’s efforts, inspiring GSIF and silently supporting it along the way.
“[Since the beginning], we felt the loving gaze and warm embrace of the contemplative sisters upon and around us, both at personal level and as a team”.
When the time came to design a new strategy for the work of the Foundation within the Congregation, the Contemplative Sisters were also essential in helping GSIF’s “Theory of Change” – the strategic framework that outlines GSIF’s systemic approach to change – align with the Gospel’s call to renewal and transformation.
In organizing this very challenging planning process” Cristina shared – the contemplative sisters have been essential. They helped us framing and focusing our discernment on the values and they challenged us as individuals and as teams to contribute to renew the original call of founders, to make the mission relevant for the world of today. This inspiration and guidance are now embedded in our goals and in the practices of our daily work, and we are committed to carry it forward by integrating the dimensions of contemplation and action to be true to our call as partners in mission”.
Following Cristina’s address, Alice and Sara presented the work of the GSIF Africa team, supported by the BFM Province. This amazing support offered throughout the years has allowed GSIF to serve the Congregation and people in need in some of the most vulnerable countries in the world, such as Madagascar, Burkina Faso, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The session concluded with a powerful call to action to look at the future. In 2021, GSIF and the Congregation committed together to co-creating a sustainable mission that will carry the values and heritage of the Congregation into the future. From building capacities and developing stronger networks to strengthening existing relationships, we need to join forces, with sisters as prayer advocates, to continue bringing assistance to vulnerable communities facing terrible crises.
This inspiring session at Angers provided an opportunity to celebrate the richness of 200 years of history, contemplation and service, but also the beautiful results of the partnership between the Foundation and the Congregation, inspiring GSIF to carry our common mission forward, with unity and commitment!
