By Sister Jaqueline Mendes, Azores, Portugal (Region of Southern Europe)

We are filled with joy to share something about the celebration of the 200^º aniversario since the foundation of the Contemplative Sisters, certain that we are part of this history, which, throughout the centuries, has done good through this specific mission. We are guided by the Espíritu Santo, who renews and transforms everything.

Today, we are full of gratitude for the mission that Santa María Eufrasia, inspired by the Holy Spirit, entrusted to us — a mission that remains very much alive within the Congregation, even amid the many challenges of the modern world, such as the scarcity of vocations in some places.

We hope that this divine work will continue, with new members and with our partners-in-mission.

Celebrating the bicentennial of our foundation is an opportunity to reflect on the past, to joyfully celebrate our achievements, and to evaluate the legacy left by Saint Mary Euphrasia. It is a chance to strengthen our identity.

The bicentennial celebrations and commemorative events of the bicentennial are moments of unity and pride for us, sisters, and our partners-in-mission — times to honor the past and build the future.

The bicentennial reminds us that we are part of a story, and that each generation has the responsibility to preserve and pass on this legacy — especially the gift of vocations — to future generations.

The Bicentennial of the foundation of the Contemplative Sisters is a Jubilee Year, una Year of Grace, which we live with a profound sense of gratitude to the Good Shepherd — with humility, but also with great joy, it is the Good Shepherd himself who blessed this spiritual project founded by Saint Mary Euphrasia, who continues to watch over us all.

This Bicentennial is, for all of us, not so much a time of celebration without transcendence, but rather a precious occasion offered to us to contemplate the past with gratitude, the present with trust, and the future of the contemplative mission with courage and a prophetic vision, allowing ourselves to be guided by the Spirit who always leads us toward the newness of God.

Finally, the Bicentennial is also an opportunity to remember many of our sisters who gave their lives in silent and heroic ways, with passion, in the most difficult and extreme circumstances of their time — and who, for that reason, are a triumph, an inestimable treasure known only to God.

May Santa María Eufrasia and obtain for us the grace to continue on this path, in the mission of saving the people entrusted to our Good Shepherd mission.

Happy Bicentennial to all!

Discover more about the Bicentenary Jubilee and events happening around the Congregation aquí.