Our Congregation, as an organic body, holds several internal structures that facilitate the organization of the sisters in the different countries of the world where they are present. We use the general term “demarcation” when we refer to Provinces, Viceprovince and Delegation, into whom the Congregation is divided. “The Provincial Chapter is a collegial organism expressing the participation of all the sisters of the Province, responsible for taking appropriate measures and assuming commitments for their spiritual and apostolic growth, in communion with the Church and the Congregation” (cf. Const. 139) and it is celebrated every three years (cf. Const. 141).
The Coronavirus pandemic has affected the life of the whole humanity with very serious consequences for all people, that let and are still letting us to experience uncertainty, illness and death. In the same way, it has upset the agendas and programs of each institution or group, from the smallest to the biggest one and we have to think again about everything in order to give valid answers to the occurring reality.
In our Congregation, the Provinces to which belong the 19 Latin American countries where we are present, were supposed to celebrate their Provincial Chapters in the months of November / December 2020, but, due to the above mentioned situation, it has been necessary to postpone these ecclesial and congregational and very important events. Finally, it has been possible to summon them adapting their celebration to the present circumstances and adopting a methodology different from the one used on other occasions.
The Chapters will be held in three phases:
- 1st phase: it has already started and all the sisters of the Province participate in it.
- 2nd phase: it will be celebrated with the virtual participation of the elected capitulary sisters.
- 3rd phase: it will be held with the physical presence of the elected capitulary sisters and it will take place in the coming month of August.
The Provincial Chapter is responsible, among other things, to analyze the situation, problems and aspirations of the Province, with a projection for the future, to seek the appropriate means to promote the religious and apostolic life, the formation in its different stages, etc., to study and to orient the administrative and economic questions, to redact appropriate agreements according to the reality and the needs of the moment… and to elect the Provincial Superior and her Councilors for a new triennium (cf. Const. 140).
It is up to the capitulary sisters who will attend the Provincial Chapter in its 3rd phase, the election of the new Government Team and also to deal with some of the above mentioned aspects. It is a time to redouble prayer and trust in the Lord, a time to search, to discern and to make important decisions for the life of the Province, sisters, communities, apostolic deeds, the members of the Amigonian Lay Movement and persons sharing the mission with us or that we are serving in different places.
We like to inform about the dates of the celebration of each Provincial Chapter with the physical presence of the capitulary sisters, the place where it will take place and its theme, so that we the sisters may join together in a cenacle of prayer asking God for the light of the Spirit.
- Province «Mother of the Good Shepherd». From August 12th to 16th in Bogotá – Colombia. Theme: «The nowadays history challenges our charismatic identity as Capuchin Tertiary … It is urgent to give an evangelical response generating life and hope».
- Province «Our Lady of Divine Providence». From August 12th to 16th in Medellín – Colombia. Theme: «The Capuchin Tertiary Sisters of the Holy Family in a changing and different world: we are called to recreate our consecrated life in fraternity and mission in the light of the charism».
- Province «Our Lady of Guadalupe». From August 19th to 23rd in San José – Costa Rica. Theme: «The Tertiary Capuchin adhering to Christ, compassionate and merciful, promptly responding to a wounded world».