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Seminar for the Young Professed sisters
The Young Professed Sisters Seminar was held on the 12th and 13th of April 2025 at Waltair, Visakhapatnam. The event was graced by the presence of the resource person, Rev. Sr. Margaret Mary, whose profound insights and spiritual depth enriched the sessions. The seminar was thoughtfully organized by Sr. Deepa in charge of finally professed sisters.
The session began at 9:00 a.m. with a beautiful and spirit-filled prayer service conducted by Sr. Kamalini and her companions. The theme of the seminar centered on the Consecrated Life. Through her sessions, Sr. Margaret Mary emphasized that religious life is deeply rooted in the Life of Jesus, highlighting the importance of religious consecration as a response to God's unique call. The session was interactive and enriching, where we were divided into four groups to discuss and share our personal experiences.
Each group was given time to share *the blessings we have received as consecrated persons*. Many of us expressed gratitude for the deep spiritual connection we enjoy with God, the sense of community, the opportunity to serve others selflessly, and the peace that comes from a life dedicated to Christ. The groups also shared *the challenges faced in consecrated life*, such as moments of loneliness, misunderstandings, maintaining zeal over time, adapting to changes, and the struggle to live the vows faithfully in a rapidly changing world.
After the group sharing, Sr. Margaret Mary addressed the gathering and beautifully summarized the reflections, encouraging everyone of us to remain faithful and joyful in our vocation. She reminded us that challenges are part of the journey and can deepen one’s commitment to God.
Following this, also gave a session on ongoing formation, emphasizing its importance in helping consecrated persons grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually throughout their lives. Sr.Margaret Mary enlightened us how ongoing formation keeps one rooted in their vocation and responsive to the needs of the time. The seminar served as a reflective and inspiring opportunity for us to deepen our understanding of our vocation and renew our commitment to our religious journey.
The seminar witnessed an insightful and thought-provoking address by Rev.Sr. Rose our Provincial, who spoke with deep concern and genuine emotion about the current state of life among the young sisters in the congregation. Her words echoed the pain she felt observing that many of us are not living our religious life up to the mark, as expected in our consecrated communities.
With a heart full of love and responsibility, she shared that the vibrancy, commitment, and spirit of sacrifice that once characterized religious life seem to be fading in some of us. She emphasized that religious life is not merely about fulfilling external duties but about living a life rooted in prayer, community living, obedience, and selfless service. Sr.Rose underlined that religious vows should be lived with sincerity and depth, not as mere formalities.
She encouraged all of us , to reflect deeply on our vocation and to recommit ourselves to the original spirit of our calling. She suggested practical steps for renewal, including more active participation in community activities, deeper personal prayer life, greater openness to guidance, and a stronger sense of belonging and responsibility within the community.
The second day of the seminar focused on the Religious Vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience. The sessions were both enlightening and reflective, offering deep insights into the meaning and implications of these core religious commitments.The vow of *chastity* was explained in the context of total dedication to God and service to others, emphasizing a life of love and self-giving. The vow of *poverty* was discussed as a call to simplicity, detachment from material possessions, and trust in Divine Providence. The vow of *obedience* was highlighted as a journey of surrender to God's will, lived through community and superiors, with discernment and humility.
In addition to these spiritual explanations, relevant *articles from the religious constitution* concerning these vows were explained and discussed in detail. This provided a clearer understanding of the canonical and practical aspects of living out these vows within religious life.
The day concluded with an interactive session where we shared our reflections and clarified our doubts, making the session both informative and spiritually enriching.
At the conclusion of the Seminar on Consecrated Life held on 12 &13 of April 2025, Sr. Elizabeth delivered a brief and heartfelt vote of thanks. She began by thanking God for His blessings throughout the event. She expressed her gratitude to the Sr. Margaret Mary and Sr. Deepa for their valuable insights and inspiring sessions. Towards end of the seminar , Sr. Deepa reminded us to live our consecrated life meaningfully and to remain faithful to our religious vows and commitment."* thus we ended the sessions.
Thank you for this opportunity sisters.