The capitulars reflected on the gospel of the day from St. Luke, chapter 6 verses 39-42. “Taking out the plank in our own eye first”, is an illustration of not forgetting our one’s tendency to be self-righteous, a reminder that all ungodliness is a cause for concern, whether it be in ourselves or in others.

In the plenary, the capitulars joyfully sang a birthday song greeting S. Maria Whelita Mendoza on her birthday. At the same time, they offered a prayer for the eternal repose of the soul of S. Beatrix Gumpoltsberger from Austria who died today. The irony of life sets the tone for this day for a while; a life here on earth that is to be explored and lived with trust and confidence with the Lord and a life offered in eternity, where there is no more suffering but eternal joy and bliss.

After which, the capitulars were led to an experience of surrendering before God in stillness and silence, to listen to what the Lord is telling them in this stage of the general chapter. In an atmosphere of stillness, the capitulars are invited to arrive at a state where they can find something beyond what they can only comprehend, but what God is telling them.

Before the day ends, the delegates from the India Region solemnly organized the Holy Eucharist with Fr. Agustin Van Baelen, SDS – General Councilor and General Secretary of the Society of the Divine Saviour (Salvatorian Fathers). Fr. Agustin reminded the capitulars that Blessed Francis Jordan and Blessed Mary of the Apostles continually invites them to keep searching, to know God’s will and to make Him known by others through their witnessing.

At the start of the 12th day, the capitulars gathered once again for faith-sharing and reflected on the Gospel of St. Luke, chapter 6, verses 27-38. The Gospel is filled with challenging verbs that pertain to attitudes, and at this juncture of the general chapter, they were asked to choose one that resonates with them most, along with their reasoning. In the morning’s first half, there was an open discussion regarding past activities. The personal stories shared the previous day—both those that invigorate and those that drain one’s energy—manifested the current state of the congregation, highlighting a need for ongoing redefinition to manage the diverse realities within it.

Subsequently, the proposed election process was presented to the capitulars, who were invited to provide clarifications, additions, and suggestions to ensure the process would be acceptable and workable. Overall, the sisters expressed agreement with the proposed election process, although some clarifying questions were raised and addressed. To reconnect with the proceedings thus far, the facilitators encouraged the collective body to once again examine their situation through metaphors, aiming for a deeper and more embodied understanding.

In the afternoon, the capitulars were invited to reflect and share what elements could no longer continue into the future of the congregation and what they would need to release, allowing certain aspects to die for the sake of the congregation’s vitality. The plenary hall buzzed with life as the capitulars expressed their awareness of the necessity to let go, recognising that this act brings new life. There was a palpable desire for vitality, alongside the realisation that letting go is not a loss but, in fact, a gain. The challenge now lies in understanding the complexity of the whole and embracing the novelty of the Spirit; for in the shadow of the cross, new life is blossoming. God knows the direction He wants us to take; we merely need to place our trust in Him. The day concluded on a joyful note with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, organised by delegates from the Tanzania Region and presided over by Fr. Ferdinand Lukoa, SDS – General Councillor of the Society of the Divine Saviour (Salvatorian Fathers).

The 11^th day of the general chapter started at the plenary at 9:15 in the morning, starting off with the singing of the prayer to the Holy Spirit in French language.

The facilitators asked the capitulars to get together in groups where they will recall the previous day’s experience. From the sharing, they have to write down particular topics taken from yesterday’s sharing. The written words were brought to the plenum and were sorted out accordingly per theme by the facilitators. Eight most popular theme were given back to each table, but in these, there will be cross cutting themes though. The capitulars after some time were given time to freely go to another table where one seems she has to contribute or add on.

The next process was spending moments of reflection and sharing on experiences of life-giving examples and life-draining examples that the capitulars have experienced. These experiences might be one’s experience or another sister’s experience. They were reminded however to give flesh to the experience and not just cite categories or concepts. They were also asked to formulate one or two questions that these general chapter should discern well in the next few weeks, questions which lead them to discern, not to give disguised solutions.

The afternoon was spent in the plenum and with openness, there is a felt community synergy. There is also so much information and a strong desire to collaborate and the need to seek a path to walk in the world today together, to be invigorated. Despite the diversity of the body, experiences are very common.

Before the end of the plenary ends, a quick look at the present demographics of the congregation per continent was presented again. This was done to help the capitulars feel the reality of the congregation accordingly.

To end the day, Msgr. Erwin Jose Balagapo – Undersecretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization celebrated the Holy Mass in joyful spirit of communion through the leading of the Sri Lanka Province delegates.

The day started with the coming together of the faith-sharing groups and they heard from each other their reflection. Today’s gospel is full of names, the names of the apostles. Salvatorian history is also full of names. It is delightful to hear stories of admiration and respect of those sisters who is an inspiration to the sisters in their Salvatorian apostolic vocation, where these names enabled something new to be born to these sisters.

Before starting the session, the capitulars greeted S. Lisete Buganti and S. Maria Mrzygłód who celebrated their birthdays today.

After wards, the previous day groupings who explored the future, came back together and as a team, they were tasked to create three scenarios based from their discoveries. The scenarios are; the future looks bright; the future is an amplification of today and the future is a degradation of what we know today. For each scenario, they have to choose a meaningful name and after which, this will be posted on the wall and capitulars will have a look at them as if they were in a gallery. With curiosity and full interest, the sisters read the scenarios.

At the plenum, during the afternoon session, the capitulars were given time to reflect personally on the experiences and those that hold them back at time from “walking together” In addition, they were also asked to reflect on what they feel that is withered in them, in their community, in their unit, in their continent and in their body/congregation? Did they notice something that comes in a way of their being fully able to proclaim? Lastly, they were asked to reflect also on what do they feel that can sometimes reduce the power of their “flame”. After an ample time of silence and reflection, the capitulars were asked to share in 3’s per table, and after sometime, the floor was opened for sharing in the open. The sharing was so interestingly and vividly frank, more voices came out and there is that air of openness and acceptance to what is being shared in the open.

The day ended with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by Fr. Agustin Van Baelen, SDS, and he wished that the capitulars look to the future with the inner peace and confidence in Jesus, and also, in all the scenarios for the future of the Salvatorian Sisters, it will always be in deep relationship with the mission and service to the people with whom the Divine Savior sends to them.

The morning started with a faith sharing on the gospel of St. Luke 6: 6-11 which challenges our true purpose of living our faith life and of healing. Later, the capitulars greeted Sr. Yasinta Godfrey Kalla who celebrated her birthday today.

The capitulars spent the whole day “exploring the future”. In view of the need to discern orientation for the next six (6) years and electing a leadership team to lead the congregation over the next six (6) years, the facilitators led the capitulars to listen and focus on what God is inviting them as they explore what the world might be like in 2030. They focused exclusively on the world around them and not on the Salvatorian as a congregation nor not on the response that they could bring to this emerging world. Therefore, the task is to travel to the future and discover what it might look like. The world wide web, the internet of things was the space they trod the whole day. Trends about politics, economic, social, environment, education, health, the Church, the digital technology, etc. was accessed – both positive and negative stuff.

Sharing became so interactive and somehow, there was an overflow of information too.

Before the day ended, the capitulars gathered together for the Holy Mass presided over by Fr. Michael Angelo Dacalos, MSC. Part of his homily goes, “as you continue walking together these days, let us pray that your rich history—with the Spirit-filled values you have held since the foundations of your congregation —enkindle your hearts once more to see that the task of exploring the future, along with its hopes and anxieties, with its challenge to take risks or to let go, is nothing short of the evangelical call to bring life to the people you live with, to let them experience God’s saving and healing love in their lives.” Like what the Lord is telling us in the  Gospel today, we pray that the capitulars will have the courage to decide according to what God’s love asks of them at this moment of the congregations’ life.

The 8th of September is a significant day for the Salvatorian family, marking the nativity of the Blessed Mother and the death anniversary of our founder, Blessed Francis Jordan. This year’s celebration was especially vibrant, as chapter delegates gathered to witness the universal call of Bl. Jordan.

In the morning, sisters visited the Salvatorian Fathers’ mother house, welcomed warmly by Fr. Adam Teneta, who introduced them to the historic Palazzo di Cardinale Cesi, closely linked to the founder. The sisters were captivated by a detailed tour of the Palazzo, culminating in a touching moment as members from around the world gathered around the founder’s relics for the Holy Eucharist. This gathering symbolized the unity of the Salvatorian family, all striving to make the Savior known.

Fr. Milton Zonta, the main celebrant, invited reflection on Bl. Jordan’s life, charism, and mission. He noted, “Francis Mary of the Cross was a seed that sprouted and became a beautiful tree,” emphasizing the fragments of history in the chapel representing the founder’s global impact. He connected this to the day’s Gospel, which tells of the healing of the deaf and mute (Mk 7:31-37), urging attendees to view life through Bl. Jordan’s lens of unconditional love for humanity.

Fr. Milton highlighted that the universality of salvation is central to Bl. Jordan’s mission. He quoted, “…One thing I ask of You, one thing, almighty Lord – this I seek! How I wish I could save everyone” (SD 1, 149). He emphasized that Salvatorian universality is not merely an aspect of identity but a testament to a big heart and open eyes that reach out to those suffering, going to where people live without excluding anyone.

Fr. Milton also stressed the importance of intercessory prayer as an act of love and solidarity. Praying for someone not only shows love but brings them closer to Jesus. “Be people of prayer,” he often reminded.

The Mass concluded with members venerating the founder’s relics by placing flowers near his mortal remains.