Dear sisters,
Giving thanks to the Lord for the new year that he is giving us and in it, to be able to continue living this time of the Spirit for the Institute, I CALL THE XXIII GENERAL CHAPTER, which we will celebrate in the House of San Gregorio, the chapter sessions will begin on the 9th of July and will end on the 31st of the same month. Previously, from the 1st to the 8th, all the capitulars will perform the Spiritual Exercises.
We are living this Christmas time contemplating various characters, immersing ourselves in various scenarios that the gospels tell us. Every year we contemplate them, letting the simplicity and poverty of Bethlehem recreate our lives, challenging us to savor in the small way the God who is always speaking to us and visiting us. And, just today, these wise men from the East come to meet us, dedicated to searching and finding out the most hidden of things. That is why when they find the child, they feel directed in their search and are directed to what is essential in their life and in ours: God himself. Contemplating them adoring God as a child launches us to live our capitular objective with confidence: Focused on what is essential, let's open paths.
The attitude of these wise men will accompany all of us, the Daughters of Christ the King, to refine our search for God because he continues to visit our Institute. This previous time is time of the Spirit, it is time for much prayer, listening, dialogue and discernment. It is a time of hope, that which is forged and becomes strong precisely when we feel that we are walking, like the wise men of the East, in the middle of the desert, at night, through adversity, through chance encounters until we reach the humble and simple inns that are the places favorites in which, God with us, likes to speak to us. Much encouragement sisters, we are living God's time for the Institute.
Let us celebrate this day asking for peace in the world, let us ask for the cessation of so many wars and unjust and inhumane situations in which so many of our brothers live. And, in light of these words of the Founder, let us ask that this Epiphany be a “… celebration.” of the social acclamation and adoration of Jesus the King.”
Madrid, January 6, 2024
M. Patricia Suárez Calderón
Superior General
