Holy Spirit Sisters Leaders of Asia-Pacific Zone meet to discuss global mission transformation

The Asia-Pacific zone leaders of Mission Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Spirit, also known as SSpS (Servarum Spiritus Sancti), held an assembly in Ruteng, Flores, Indonesia, from July 21 to July 30 to discuss transformation and collaboration for Global Mission.

SSpS leaders from China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, India, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Indonesia participated in the assembly.

The purpose of this gathering is to strengthen collaboration within the organization to meet the current requirements of global missions.

This meeting was initiated when the congregation's XV General Chapter met on January 20, 2022, and the sisters recognized the need to collaborate in carrying out God's global mission.

The fact that 51 percent of SSpS members are from Asia and the Pacific was the impetus for the meeting, igniting and inspiring such an initiative. 

Father Manfred Habur, General Secretary of the Diocese of Ruteng, officiated over the opening Mass to inaugurate the event.

In his homily, which drew inspiration from Jesus' prayer in John 17:1–12, Father Habur urged the assembly participants to "narrate and share" what they have accomplished in the mission and to "see and reflect" on what is occurring in their life as a religious missionary.

The priest added that as missionaries, they are required to "discuss and discern” how they would better respond to the requirements of the mission in the contemporary world. 

“Collaboration necessitates an altered subordinate. And to be transformed, one requires a servant who prays,” said the priest.

As the assembly's keynote speaker, Sr. Mirian Altenhoffen, SSpS, reminded the Holy Spirit Sisters via video message that the assembly is a voyage of synodality and an opportunity to deepen one's relationship with love and truth.

"This assembly is a journey of synodality, a journey that desires to be humble and knows that it has much to learn, a journey of encounter and dialogue, open, welcoming, and embracing all, a call to a deeper understanding of the relationship between Love and truth, and a journey of discernment," said sister Altenhoffen.

During the assembly, the leaders will share their thoughts and insights inspired by the inputs on spirituality, transformation, and collaboration, as well as the reports from each Province and Region. - Sr. Herlina Hadia, SSpS