By Liam Michael Quinn, Congregational Communications Manager, Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
To celebrate 200 years of contemplative life, the Contemplative Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd gathered in Rome for a historic three-week program. Contemplative Sisters from around the globe came together for a period of reflection, prayer, and community, marking the Bicentenary Jubilee with a series of events designed to honor their rich history and envision a hopeful future.
This unique occasion culminated on November 17 with a final meeting that connected over 250 sisters and partners-in-mission, both in person and online, to bring the jubilee celebrations to a heartwarming close.
A Three-Week Journey of Reflection and Community
The program, titled “Crossing Together in Joyful Hope,” was structured such that each week had a distinct spiritual focus: “Liberation – From Fear to Hope,” “Consolation – Betrothed to Joy,” and “A Look Toward the Future – The Call to Creativity.”
As sisters from around the world gather, Sr. Marcia Marroquín from Ecuador reflected, “The opportunity to be gathered here in Rome is one of grace and blessing that renews our call and religious consecration.”
The gathering began on November 1 with a warm welcome from Congregational Leader Sr. Joan Marie Lopez, setting a tone for days dedicated to listening and dialogue.
One of the most memorable moments was the General Audience with Pope Leo XIV at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, where they received a Blessing from the Holy Father. Reflecting on this encounter, Sr. Shirley Tomalá from Peru shared, “Pope Leo mentioned that ‘in the face of our fragile humanity,’ the resurrection of Christ becomes care and healing, nurturing hope”. In celebrating our 200 years, I feel the call not to lose hope in the face of the challenges of today’s world but to continue walking into the next 200 years with a heart that welcomes, heals, and dignifies.”
The culmination of the year-long bicentenary jubilee took place on November 11 with a Eucharistic Celebration at Casa Bonus Pastor in Rome. Following the event, Sr. Jacqueline Maria spoke of how, “Today our hearts are overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to God Almighty for gathering us together from different parts of the world to celebrate our 200th Anniversary of our foundation in this sacred place. It’s a grace-filled moment for us Contemplative Sisters as we partake in this Bicentenary Jubilee Celebration”. This week concluded with a pilgrimage to Assisi, where the sisters walked in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare.
The final week focused on integrating the experiences of the gathering and designing a path for the future. Sisters visited more holy sites, including the Vatican and St. John Lateran, and engaged in sessions on preparing Contemplative Sisters for the years ahead. Speaking of those who came before her, Sr. Margarita Rodríguez from Mexico said, “I want to continue their legacy of generous love that makes me say it is worth living my consecration in this congregation, with a keen desire to continue seeking new paths.”
A Global Celebration to Conclude the Jubilee
The three-week program culminated in a final in-person and online meeting on November 17, broadcast via Zoom to sisters and partners-in-mission worldwide. The session began with a welcome and opening prayer, followed by an overview of the transformative experiences of the past weeks. Sisters shared reflections on the retreat, the Jubilee Mass, and the pilgrimages to Rome and Assisi.
During the meeting, sisters shared personal testimonies and learnings. A symbolic gesture saw sisters from each region bring forward soil from their homelands, representing the unity and rootedness of their global community as Contemplatives.
The event was a powerful testament of 200 years of mission setting foot in new territory, which returned to its spiritual home through the daughters of those first pioneers.
This sense of continuity was echoed by Sr. Rosa Cisneros from Argentina, who shared, “I give thanks to God for so much history and wisdom in these 200 years. These three weeks of encounter have invited me to let the Spirit revitalize my consecration and narrate a new story together with a gaze full of mercy.”
This closing meeting celebrated our shared history and looked forward with optimism, capturing the essence of a spiritual milestone and a community united in its mission for the centuries to come. As Sr. Michaella Kim from Korea spoke, “May God continue our charism through our perseverance across the world. Our mission will continue together with our partners-in-mission.”
