(ZENIT News / Rome, 06.05.2025).- Nearly 900 Superiors General of Women’s Religious Congregations from 75 countries are meeting in Rome for the 23rd Plenary Session of the International Union of Superiors General (IUSG). The meeting is taking place in a hotel on Via Aurelia, outside Rome, from May 5 to 9.
The Plenary Assembly stated its purpose in a statement: «As the world mourns the death of our beloved Pope Francis, it seems particularly significant that the Superiors General, gathered in Assembly, reflect on Consecrated Life as a transforming presence of hope in today’s world.»
Sister Mary Barron, of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Apostles and President of the IUSG, born in Ireland, said: «In this Jubilee Year, the Plenary Assembly represents a unique moment of listening, communion, and renewal. It is a time to journey together as consecrated women in service to the Church and the world.»
Patricia Murray, IBVM, Executive Secretary of the IUSG, recalled the Plenary’s theme: «Consecrated Life: A Transforming Hope.» It is an opportunity to reflect on mission as a sign of hope and transformation in today’s world. She emphasized the words of Pope Francis, who described hope as «the capacity to discern, everywhere, signs of hope, the emergence of the possible in the impossible, of grace where sin seemed to have eroded all trust.»
The 900 participating Superiors General are of 75 nationalities: the most represented Continent is Europe, where many Generalate Houses are located.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the country with the largest number of participants from Africa; India from Asia; and Mexico and Brazil from Latin America. «For the first time, we are pleased to welcome a large number of General Superiors from Indonesia,» the press release states.
The Assembly will pay special attention to synodality. Its methodology is Conversation in the Spirit for appropriate discernment, which seeks to promote deep listening, shared reflection, and global communion among the participants.
The IUSG’s statement explains: «Since 1965, the IUSG has offered the Superiors General a meeting place in an ecclesiastical context. Comprised of members from all over the world, it aims to create bridges and networks, with the aim of creating new strategies and synergies, which allow religious to communicate across geographical distances and linguistic and cultural differences, to be in communion with one another and build together a global community.»
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