Official Opening of the 21st General Chapter

September 8, 2024: Today, Sunday, September 8, 2024, the 21st General Chapter of the International Congregation of the Hospital Sisters of St Francis was solemnly opened.

In the morning, Mass was celebrated in St. Paul’s Cathedral in Muenster, during which representatives from all locations of the congregation carried their respective national flags. Many Sisters from the Motherhouse, numerous Chapter guests and members of the public attended this Mass.

Provost Hans-Bernd Köppen welcomed the Sisters of the international Congregation, and in his sermon made a connection between the Charism of the Congregation, “to bring the healing presence of Christ into the world”, and the daily reading from the Gospel of Mark, in which Jesus heals a deaf-mute (MK 7, 31 – 37). “This Gospel encourages us to turn to the sick,” he explained. “The Christian view of humanity explicitly includes the sick, the poor and those in need; caring for them is at the heart of Christ’s message of redemption.”

Concelebrant Prof. Dr. Dr. Michael Plattig O.Carm., Spiritual Director of the international Congregation, and Sisters from the German Province of the Hospital Sisters helped to celebrate the liturgy, which was partly held in English due to the large number of guests from all over the world. The wonderful music of a girls’ choir also contributed to the moving Mass and strengthened the Chapter community in a spirit of unity and joy.

In the afternoon, Superior General Sister M. Margarete Ulager officially opened the 21st General Chapter of the international Congregation in the Borromaeum Seminary and lit the Chapter candle with the motto “I am the way and the truth and the life”.

In her opening address, Sister Margarete welcomed all participants and guests and, on behalf of the Sisters of the General Leadership, thanked everyone who contributed to the successful preparation of the chapter.

“Over the last six years, the journey of our international Congregation has been one of ups and downs, there has been much joy, but also sadness – it has been a time of growth and of letting go,” she said, giving a first brief review of her time in office. As a mirror of the Church and society, she sees the Congregation at a crossroads in these complex times. “Our Charism has already survived for 180 years because our community has always reacted anew to the signs of the times,” said the outgoing Superior General. “Over the next two weeks, full of trust in the Holy Spirit, we will work together to search once again for God’s will for our Congregation, looking to the future with hope.”

The work of the General Chapter then began with the presentation of the report of the German Province by Provincial Superior Sister M. Diethilde Bövingloh and of the Polish Province by Provincial Superior Sister M. Maksymiliana Pilarska.

Belew, please find some impressions of today’s General Chapter opening.