Bicentenary Jubilee

Celebrating 200 Years of Contemplative Sisters

November 11, 2024 is the launch of the Bicentenary Jubilee year.

This momentous occasion of launching the 200th Anniversary of the Contemplative Sisters, invites us to reflect and give thanks for the remarkable journey that began two centuries ago and to celebrate the enduring spirit that continues to guide and inspire us not only as contemplative sisters but as apostolic sisters and partners in mission.

Two hundred years ago, in 1825, Sr Mary Euphrasia, who was made the leader of her community, responded in faith to establish the contemplative lifestyle within the Congregation. Despite the challenges and societal norms of her time, she created a space for women to live out their deep yearning for union with God and community life through a contemplative way of life. Her courage, creativity, and commitment to God’s call have left a significant mark on our congregation’s history.

*Special Bicentenary Ritual (download here)

Our Saints and Blesseds

Formation and Contemplative Reflections

Five Zoominars will be offered in 2025 for all in the Congregation who wish to participate. The focus of the formation sessions will be on the contemplative dimension of our lives. These sessions will be two hours each and with guest speakers.

Link for October 15 registration: https://tinyurl.com/200JubileeZoominar5

We would appreciate it if you register early to enable us to facilitate the necessary translation and to provide you with the Zoominar link early. You will receive registration links for the other sessions in our Congregational e-newsletter.

Reflections will be shared after each Zoominar session by a few contemplative sisters in the following week or so. These will be made available through the Congregational e-newsletter and on our website.

Creative responses

In addition, we felt that to engage the spirit and heart of our Jubilee, words alone will not suffice. Therefore, to deepen the reflections, everyone in the congregation is invited to a creative response in expressing what is stirring within them. These include:

• artwork, (sculpture, painting, etc.);
• song and music;
• food recipe;
• poetry and inspiring stories;
• planting or any symbolic action.

Please upload your creative responses in the box to the right or send them as an attachment to creations@gssweb.org

Selected creative responses will be displayed in the Generalate in November 2025 to celebrate God’s divine presence in all of our lives.

Bicentenary Zoominars

Five Zoominar Sessions will be held in 2025 during each of which a guest speaker will share her perspective on the contemplative dimension of Good Shepherd life and mission. You can watch the recording of this Zoominar by clicking the image below.