Present in 96 countries and with approximately 12,800 members, the Company of the Daughters of Charity, on the five continents, is at the service of Christ in the poor.
From October 29th until November 21st, the Daughters of Charity will celebrate their General Assembly in Paris at their Motherhouse (140 rue du Bac).
As usual, the objective of this gathering is to evaluate and to promote fidelity to the charism and apostolic vitality throughout the Company.
The Assembly will open with a retreat that will then be followed by three and a half weeks of reflection on the theme: EPHATA! Open the door … reach out … move out to an encounter. Together the members of the Assembly will search for ways to respond to the great challenges, such as, respect for human rights, the integral development of those who are most vulnerable, safeguarding the common home, the “mysticism” of living together, the transmission of the faith and Christian values to a new generation … and doing all of this in fidelity to the church and the shared charism.
During the Assembly, the participants will elect a Superior General and the members of the General Council. The Council is responsible for the spiritual animation of the Company of the Daughters of Charity and the coordination of the missionary efforts of the various Provinces.
This international event is also an opportunity for the membership to deepen their understanding of the message of Saint Vincent and Saint Louise, to live the present moment in a creative manner, to define guidelines in order to respond to the present-day missionary and spiritual challenges and to enter the future with joy and confidence.
I pray with the Holy Spirit to bless the General Assembly of Daughters of Charity who have served the world for millennia with their presence and discerned grace.