EVENTS – On December 8th, 2015, the International Union of General Superiors celebrates its first 50 years of existence at the service of Religious Sisters in the world and in the Church.In light of the happy coincidence with the beginning of the extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, the Celebration is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th, in Rome. His Eminence Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, Prefect of the CICLSAL, will preside over a Solemn Eucharist at 11.00 o’clock at the Church of Santa Maria in Traspontina, on Via della Conciliazione, 14.
On December 8th, 1965, on the final day of the Second Vatican Council, the Council Fathers approved the establishment of the International Union of General Superiors (UISG). The first General Assembly was held in 1967 and it was attended by approximately 200 General Superiors. For lack of other means, the same General Superiors made the UISG known through their travels and received enthusiastic responses, especially from smaller or geographically isolated congregations, indicating that UISG was responding to a genuine need.
Today, after 50 years of existence, UISG, made up of 1857 General Superiors, leaders of pontifical and diocesan congregations, present in over 100 Nations and representing more than 350.000 Religious sisters, renews its commitment to provide an intercongregational and international space for dialogue, debate and action for Religious Sisters, in collaboration with Church authorities, Religious Men and laity.
The history of the UISG that will be published on the occasion of the Jubilee, reads as follows: “Since the beginning, the objective of UISG was to create an international forum to assist religious sisters in establishing a dialogue among its members, with Church authorities and global organizations.”
The mission of UISG invites congregational leaders to respond collaboratively and in increasingly creative ways to new challenges faced as feminine Consecrated Life develops and is transformed and as congregations seek to respond to new and emerging global needs, especially in new frontiers. UISG promotes its mission in an atmosphere of dialogue, inviting the active participation of each member.
Our strength lies in the witness offered by each of the 1857 General Superiors and their Congregations, in intercongregational, intercultural and international networking and collaboration.
The celebration of the UISG Jubilee will conclude during the Plenary Assembly of General Superiors that will be held in Rome, from May 9 to the 13th, 2016.
