On May 22nd, the closing of the General Congregation was celebrated with the final words of the Superior General, Graciela Francovig. The communities of the Hijas de Jesus from all over the world were invited to connect via Zoom and participate in these very significant acts, sharing the sending forth and the joy of becoming aware that we are a body in mission.

From the beginning, there was an atmosphere of joy and gratitude for the possibility of meeting each other, even if only through a screen, after an intense month of closely accompanying the General Congregation. The sisters expressed with enthusiasm the excitement of seeing the faces of so many Hijas de Jesus in different parts of the world and being able to take part in this last act of the General Congregation.

In her closing remarks, Graciela recalled how this General Congregation was held amid historic ecclesial events. It began with the news of Pope Francis’ death, the participation in his funeral, and the prayerful accompaniment of the conclave that elected his successor, Pope Leo XIV. This context marked the experience of the GC delegates, who felt a living part of a Church in transition.

Graciela expressed her gratitude for the process during these 31 days, highlighting the atmosphere of listening, discernment, and co-responsibility. She underlined that from the first moment, the members took seriously the sending received and the shared responsibility of seeking together, with sincerity and openness, what God wanted for the congregation at this time.

Among the fruits of the process was the approval of the new Statutes of Economic Administration, the result of a long process initiated on the recommendation of the Superior General at the previous General Congregation. Another central moment was the elaboration of the Determination, conceived as a single integrating nucleus, which helps and encourages the congregation and each Hijas de Jesus in all dimensions of life.

In her final message, she recalled that we are in the Jubilee of Hope and tenderly invoked Mary, who with her ‘yes’ has made God's work possible, and Mother Candida, a model of availability and trust.

She thanked the Father greatly for making this journey possible, and in particular, the GC delegates for their co-responsibility, the community of the Generalate, the translators, those who collaborated in the communication, and all those who sustained us with their prayers and encouragement.

Deeply moved, she thanked the outgoing counselors for their dedication during the previous six-year term and welcomed the four newly elected counselors. She encouraged us all to remain united, trust each other as God trusts us, and continue to have faith in the work God is doing.

“Let’s be united in the desire to be true Hijas de Jesus.”

Graciela ended by sending everyone to live with joy and hope in this new congregational moment.

https://hijasdejesus.org/en/graciela-francovigs-closing-remarks-at-gcxix/