Sister Wivine Kisu, DC, General Councillor, reflects on “The Identity of the Daughter of Charity: Characteristic and Distinctive Elements – How does a Daughter of Charity live in today’s world?”
.Introduction
Today, the rationalist and totalitarian ideologies have fallen, and the great scientific and technological strides that are being made undoubtedly offer our world immense possibilities. Material progress gives rise to an amelioration of human conditions within the different areas of health, education, and food as well as a greater openness for universality and solidarity of our planet, especially during catastrophic times. Yet, we are witnesses to greater and deeper disparities between the richer part of humanity and the poorer part where endemic illnesses rage, hunger, AIDS and their consequences on society, especially on those who are least protected.
Moreover, the development of human science has provided a greater understanding of the human being in its complexities. While society recognizes the value of freedom, respect, and human rights, we are unfortunately witnesses to the growth of violence in different forms: war, break-up of families, exclusion both of persons and of certain groups.
Faced with the wonders mentioned above, if I may thus qualify them — brought about by science and technology, we are part of the emergence of a culture of dechristianization and a phenomenon of secularization at all levels in spite of the growth of all kinds of sects. This brings with it a certain relativism, a worship of the ephemeral and a lack of landmarks, resulting even in despair.
Many realities positively and/or negatively influence and affect the life of a Daughter of Charity. Thus, the identity of a Daughter of Charity, clear and easily understood at one time, seems to be becoming, in some regards, confused and nebulous through a lack of unity among its different aspects:
– “totally given to God,”
– community life,
– service of the poor and the vows “which give their service its specific character.”
It seems important then to clearly re-establish ourselves as to who we are in order always to be able to respond with fidelity, boldness and creativity to the mission that is ours in the circumstances of today.
Today, in light of the theme “inculturation of the charism in a changing world” from the 1997 General Assembly, we are at a turning point in our lives in preparation for a revision of our Constitutions and Statutes. This revision is to be “a revitalization” of our being as a Daughter of Charity, servant of the poor, in order to be “more” in the living than in the doing.
For the full text visit
http://www.famvin.org/cm/curia/vincentiana/2001/2001-4-kiwsu.html
