Chapter 2027
Prayer. Participation. Discernment. Direction.
From every part of the Good Shepherd network, sisters and partners-in-mission are preparing for the 32nd Congregational Chapter.
The Chapter will take place at the Motherhouse in Angers, France, from 1 to November 21, 2027. It is both a spiritual event and the highest collegial authority of the Congregation: a time to listen deeply, renew our fidelity to the charism and discern how the mission is being called to serve a wounded world.
What is a Congregational Chapter?
A Congregational Chapter is a representative assembly of the Congregation. The Constitutions describe it as a sign of unity, an expression of participation, and the highest authority within the Congregation. It is also a spiritual event—a time of reflection, conversion and renewal in the Good Shepherd charism.
An ordinary Congregational Chapter is convoked every six years. The time between Chapters allows directions to be lived, tested and reviewed across different cultures and ministries. The next Chapter then listens to what has been learned, attends to the realities of the world and discerns the way forward.
"Chapter is not only a meeting in Angers. It is a Congregation-wide journey of prayer, listening, and responsibility for mission."
What does the Chapter do?
The Chapter:
- Listens to reports, lived experience, and proposals from across the Congregation;
- Evaluates how faithfully the Congregation is living its charism and mission;
- Reads the signs of the times and identifies priorities for the coming years;
- Decides directions concerning the whole Congregation;
- Elects the Congregational Leader and the apostolic and contemplative Councils;
- Considers governance, formation, mission, justice, spirituality and the stewardship of people and resources; and
- May revise the Statutes or propose changes to the Constitutions for the approval required by the Church.
Its purpose is not to design every local ministry. It establishes shared direction so that Regions, communities and ministries can respond faithfully within their own realities.
Who participates?
The Chapter brings together apostolic and contemplative sisters from across the Congregation. Its membership includes ex-officio members named in the Constitutions and delegates elected through Regional Chapters and the Congregational Assembly for Contemplative Sisters (CACS).
Other people may be invited to participate of particular ways. For Chapter 2027, this includes partners-in-mission and other sisters whose experience can enrich the discernment. The Constitutions and approved Chapter procedures determine who votes in canonical decisions; invitation and participation do not give every person the same role or authority.
Partners-in-mission participate because the Good Shepherd mission is shared. Their professional expertise, spiritual commitment, local knowledge, and experience of mission strengthen the Congregation’s listening and help decisions remain connected to people, ministries, and contemporary realities.
