In July 2008 I attended the General Chapter of the Society in Lima. A Chapter is held every eight years and its primary task is to elect a new Superior General for the Society and to set the agenda for how we live during the next 8 years.

We were 85 delegates representing 43 countries and 32 Provinces. Over a third had never been to a Chapter before and there was a great deal of life and vitality during the six weeks we were there. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was hard work but wonderful to be in such an international gathering and to know that we all shared a common vision and purpose.

It was an experience of deep listening, and in the beginning, when we spent a great deal of time listening to and sharing reports from all the Provinces, it was fascinating to hear the differences and realise that there were so many convergences. They were both inspiring and challenging. We realised that many provinces are working together in ways that would have seemed impossible a few years ago e.g. joint Formation or Justice Projects or working with Young people to name but a few. There was an openness and trust among us which was good to experience but also an ability to be vulnerable with each other.

We had guest speakers who challenged our thinking and moved us into deeper places. We worked in three languages with the help of a wonderful team of translators but the struggle to communicate often happened during the in-between times and it was worth every effort to do so. We had a day off every week when we were immersed in the hospitality of the Peruvian Province and were able to experience something of the reality of their very beautiful country.

We did elect a new Superior General, and we did put words into a document, but the best part was how we were changed ourselves in the process. My eyes and my heart have been opened to a whole new world.

Margaret Wilson RSCJ

(If you would like to know more about the Chapter please click on the following link to our international website, and follow the prompts.

http://www.rscjinternational.org/content/view/1850/222/