From July 25 to 31, seven Regina Pacis Province Junior Sisters gathered for a summer Junior gathering under the theme “Pilgrims of Gratitude and Hope.”
This year marks the 175th anniversary of the Congregation and the Church Jubilee Year. We began the gathering with the hope that it would be an opportunity to reflect on the lives and spirits of our foundresses and move forward with renewed hope.
On the first day, we had a day of retreat and Lectio Divina.
On the second day, we shared questions about our religious life with Sister Marie Philippa, focusing on the theme of consecrated life and the 175th anniversary of the Congregation. In the afternoon, we reflected on the founding of the Congregation through a reading of ‘Soli Deo’. In the evening, we held a Zoom meeting with the sisters in Vietnam. Although we were physically apart, we shared news about each country and experienced unity.
We also enjoyed a trip to Sokcho, where we enjoyed the beautiful nature at Seoraksan National Park and shared delicious food. It was a truly fulfilling time.
Our community service involved cleaning and organizing the outside storage room, sorting out items, and organizing what needed to be used. Despite the midday heat, we happily volunteered, helping each other and offering refreshing drinks. After a day of hard work, we enjoyed a delicious dinner under the theme of “Bataan Night”- cooking dishes we enjoyed at the formation house in the Philippines, and sharing memories of our time there.
Under the theme “God’s Calling, Engraved in My Heart,” we shared what we were grateful for in our religious life and shared our most memorable moments, allowing us to reflect on our own lives. Also, under the theme “We are the Hope of Notre Dame,” we wrote letters to Junior sisters in other provinces.
On the last day, we shared feedback from the gathering, reaffirmed our individual mottos chosen at our profession, and shared our hopes in the closing liturgy.
We would like to thank all the sisters who prayed for this Junior gathering. We will continue to be Sisters of Notre Dame who spread the hope that the Lord gave us in our ministries.
