{"id":47779,"date":"2025-04-21T20:58:55","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T18:58:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hijasdejesus.org\/opening-mass-of-the-xix-general-congregation\/"},"modified":"2025-04-22T18:38:52","modified_gmt":"2025-04-22T16:38:52","slug":"opening-mass-of-the-xix-general-congregation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hijasdejesus.org\/en\/opening-mass-of-the-xix-general-congregation\/","title":{"rendered":"Opening Mass of the 19th General Congregation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To mark the opening of the 19th<\/sup> General Congregation, a solemn Mass of the Holy Spirit was celebrated in an atmosphere of deep communion and hope. Fr. Arturo Sosa Abascal, SJ, Superior General of the Society of Jesus presided the Eucharistic celebration within the Easter Octave and accompanied the GC delegates for this sig significant moment of prayer and discernment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Symbolic Start<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ceremony began by inviting all those present to live this moment as \u201ca crossroad of grace\u201d where the Hijas de Jesus are called to \u201crenew their commitment to the mission entrusted to them\u201d and to \u201clisten to the voice of the Holy Spirit\u201d in order to discern the path for the next six years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Superior General, Graciela Franccovig entered carrying the Paschal candle which represented \u201cthe presence of Christ in our midst\u201d and the commitment to \u201cilluminate with the light of faith, joy and compassion\u201d a world marked by darkness. Together with the Paschal candle are the historical memoirs collected in each province. Bringing to the altar the history lived during the last six years is honoring \u201cthose who preceded us\u201d and strengthening the congregational \u201csense of belonging.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A Celebration Filled with Signs<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The simple but profound celebration was full of expressions which puts us in the important moment we are living. The universal dimension of the Congregation was manifested through the diversity of languages present in the liturgy.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The one hundred postulates from all over the Congregation and with the valuable contribution of the laity for this General Congregation were symbolically presented during the offertory. These were offerings conveyed \u201cdreams and yearnings as well as struggles and hopes\u201d and with the desire that the Lord may transform them \u201cinto new life for the good of our brothers and sisters.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the bread and wine that would become the Body and Blood of Christ, these postulates embody the commitment of the Hijas de Jesus to continue God\u2019s Kingdom in collaboration with all those who share their charism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Homily: An Invitation to Easter Hope<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To invite the GC delegates to an experience similar to that of Mary Magdalene before the empty tomb, Fr. Arturo Sosa started his profound homily with the question from the Eater Sequence, \u201cWhat did you see on the way, Mary, in the morning?\u201d \u201cLet us ask from deep within our hearts for the grace of that vision, of that interior experience as an inspiration for this 19th<\/sup> General Congregation,\u201d the Jesuit General Superior stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With words full of hope, Fr. Sosa elaborated several fundamental themes for this time of discernment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n