The participants living in Europe, came from diverse cultural backgrounds: Germany, Austria, France, India, Italy, Japan and Romania. In small discussion groups, the sisters got to know each other’s work, means each one’s mission – working with people suffering from addiction, homeless people, refugees, people with physical and/or mental disabilities, women who are victims of violence, etc. They shared their concerns, but also the reasons for hope that inspire them.
One afternoon, divided into two groups, they visited two social engagement locations– a small group from a parish association that reaches out to homeless people and a community food bank where they were warmly welcomed by a volunteer who has been working for years in this working-class neighbourhood alongside people living in precarious conditions.
A reflection given by a theologian from the Helper Sister, on being forgotten in the Bibel, helped them to deepen their understanding of what it means to be forgotten by others: it is ‘being mocked off the map, but still existing’; there is a breakdown in relationships, and one suffers from inattention, contempt and exclusion by others.
Sr. Birthe Kröncke, who came from Germany, was particularly touched by the experience of fraternity in the group and the diversity of commitments. The sisters concluded the session by sharing icons and biblical passages that particularly touched them in view of their mission to the most forgotten. Sr. Birthe points out: ‘I left this session deeply enriched by the shared experiences and encouraged to hold on to hope in my mission.’
