From October 3 to 5, 64 young sisters in our Province, including juniors, gathered at the Seoul Notre Dame Education Center for a gathering under the theme of ‘Wake Up and Sing, Young Hearts.’
On the first day, we began with an opening prayer led by Sr. Marie Carmel. She invited us to reflect on what keeps us from waking up and to pray earnestly for deliverance from it. Next came an icebreaker! With first-impression stickers, a bingo game, and small-group sharing, we got to know one another better. A deeper group conversation concluded the day’s program.
The second day began with Lauds, followed by Mass celebrated by that Fr. Simon Lee, SJ. Over breakfast, we watched an encouraging video message from our Provincial, Sr. Marie Justina, who is in Toledo attending the General Conference. Then each group set off on a pilgrimage as ‘young Aloysia on a journey.’ Along the way as we visited Namsan, Seoul Forest, Seosomun shrine, Literary Museum of poet Yun Dong-ju, and Myeong-dong Cathedral. During the pilgrimage we undertook various missions such as taking special group photos, praying for creation, and discovering things we had in common. After supper, we had a time of praise singing songs we used to enjoy during junior gatherings.
On the last day, we began again with Lauds and breakfast. Each group wrote messages to one another, and we gathered as a whole group for another time of sharing, using an app called Padlet. During the closing prayer, Sr. Marie Carmel presented paper boxes that looked like red bricks, each with a sister’s name on it. The sisters who had been in religious life for more than 25 years were invited to build a house with these paper bricks. Then the youngest group, including the juniors and those in their first and second year after final vows, was asked to remodel it. All of this led us to pray that we may be in one ND spirit and that our heritage may continue.
This gathering was a great opportunity to feel our family spirit, simplicity, and unity.
