www.livestrong.com September

Volume V Issue No. 5 September- October 2017

Participants

In this Issue:Generalate/Electionof the Prioress ...........2CIB Meeting...............3World Day Prayer for Creation...............4Constitutions...............5Events..........................6

Foundation Day decoration in the chapel of Casa Santo Spirito, Rome (September 24, 2017)

M. ANGELA ANNOUNCES XIII GENERAL CHAPTER

Mother Angela Strobel announced on September 23, the eve of the 132nd Foundation of the Congregation , the convocation of the Thirteenth General Chapter of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing to be held at the Casa Santo Spirito in Rome from September 23 to October 25, 2018. The theme of the XIII General Chapter is We are different yet one.“The way of Jesus…to walk united with our differences.” - Pope Francis

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M. Angela

August 29 – September 5Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca and Sr. Regina Tesch visited the sisters of the Punalur Community, India.

Punalur Community Seated l-r: Sr. Ma. Gratia Balagot, Sr. Lumen Gloria and Sr. Regina

September 1- December 12M. Angela Strobel and Sr. Caridad Choi are having their on-going canonical visitation in the priory of Daegu. In between M. Angela attended the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB) meeting held at the Spirituality Center of Daegu (see story on page 3). The sisters had also an advance festive celebration of her feastday together with the commemoration of the golden jubilee of religious profession of 11 sisters on October 8.

October 1-27Sr. Ma. Salete Rocha and Sr. Regina Tesch had their canonical visitation in Angola.

October 20-22Sr. Adelaida Ygrubay was re-elected Prioress of the Manila Priory for a term of three years during an Election Chapter held at St. Scholastica’s Spirituality Center, Tagaytay. The Chapter was conducted by Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca, Vicaress General.

Business Chapter followed from October 22- 27 this time attended by five ex-officio members and 25 delegates.

CONGRATULATIONS SR. ADELAIDA!

Sr. Regina (l) and Sr. Lumen (r) during the welcome rite at the doorsteps of Punalur

Arrival of Sr. Caridad (l) and M. Angela (r) in Daegu

M. Angela (m) cuts her feastday cake assisted bySr. Caridad (l) and Sr. Maoro (r)

Novitiate members of Daegu

Arrival of Sr. Regina(2nd r) and Sr. Salete(3rd r)

Sisters with the Angolan children l-r: Sr. Vitoria Resende, Sr. Salete and Sr. Regina

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CIB HOLDS MEETING IN SOUTH KOREA By Sr. Rosann Ocken, OSB

Twenty-two Benedictine nuns and sisters from eleven different regions throughout the world met in South Korea for the Conference of the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB). Our Daegu Priory was the primary site for our eleven-day meeting but visits were also made to the Busan Olivetan Community and our St. Gertrud Priory in Seoul. Seven Missionary Benedictine Sisters participated in the twelve-day program September 8-19. Key topics on the agenda included, planning for the 2018 CIB symposium that will be held in Rome, financial and various regional reports. We had interesting discussions about the future of CIB and M. Mariangela Yator showed photos of the Italian monasteries damaged a year ago by the earthquakes. Almost US$200,000 was collected through CIB for renovations of their monasteries. Over and over again M. Mariangela spoke of the appreciation of the communities who received both prayer and financial support from Benedictines all over the world. We had the special privilege to visit the Unmunsa Buddhist Temple not too far from Daegu. This is the largest training center for Buddhist nuns in Korea established in 560. At present there are about 160 nuns living and studying there. Several Buddhist nuns spent the day with us showing us the grounds, telling of their life, and sharing lunch with us. Visits were also made to our Benedictine Brothers in Waegwan Abbey near Daegu and monks of St. Joseph Priory in Seoul. Abbot Blazio and the monks gave us a grand welcome. Of special interest were the amazing workshops of the monks in Waegwan and the large pear orchard at St. Joseph’s. Many of the sisters know the former Abbot Odo and were delighted to meet him at Waegwan. Throughout the days, the participants had a fine exposure to the history of the Catholic Church in Korea and the presence of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters and Monks in Korea. We were touched

OSB Tutzing ParticipantsFrom l-r: Sr. Dolores Hong, Sr. Vania Toscano, M. Angela Strobel, M. Maoro Sye, M. Rose Marie Hwang, Sr. Rosann Ocken and Sr. Mary Daniel Park

deeply when we made a visit to the Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine in Seoul where countless martyrs shed their blood for their faith. The name, “Jeoldusan” means, “Mountain of beheading.” It was so named because of the martyrs who were beheaded there. The reliquary below the main altar conserves the relics of 27 saints. Throughout our days we were mindful of the critical situation in North Korea. We placed this deep concern for the Korean People in our prayers. As the days of the conference came to an end, I felt so proud of our sisters in both priories for their outstanding and generous hospitality, their witness of dedication to the Benedictine life, and committed service to the Church.

Buddhist Abbess Jim-Kwang with M. Angela

At the Waegwan Abbey M. Rose Marie, former Abbot Odo, Sr. Dolores

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MFP Participants

PERAMIHO. The Peramiho Priory Community gathered together with students of Peramiho Girls Secondary School at the Marian statue for the opening day of the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Septermber 1. Sister Judith Kombe, the

Sisters and students gathered at prayer before the Marian statue<-- Flower-shaped pledges on how to heal the environment

INDIA. The sun was struggling to show up its golden rays behind dark clouds as we processed, each one of us with a small plant, a bunch of flowers, stones of different sizes and colors, a pair of cute gold fish in a crystal bottle and many more to a place in the yard to pray Vespers on September 1. We were welcomed by our cows and goats grazing a few feet away, our faithful dog trying to protect our privacy from intruders and the freshness of the plants and trees around. After depositing our offerings at the altar, prayer followed smoothly, the texts lovingly prepared and chosen for the occasion by our Junior sisters. It was such a wonderful experience to spend the last hours of the day united in prayers to the rest of humanity wonderful experience to spend the last hours of the day united in prayers to the rest of humanity with the loving presence of our Vicaress, Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca, OSB. and General Councillor, Sr. Regina Tesch, OSB. on this beautiful “Day of Prayer for Creation.”

By Sr. Ma. Gratia Balagot, OSB

priory's appointed chairperson of the JPIC, led the guided rosary on Caring for Creation composed by Pope Francis. At compline which was integrated with the presentation on Care of Creation, the Sisters and Formandees were given flower-shaped papers where they were told to write their pledge on how to help in the healing of our environment. These were later pinned to the bulletin board so that we would be reminded of what we wrote or pledged. The bulletin board looked colorful with all our pledges. For the closing prayer, we all prayed A Prayer for Our Earth from Laudato Si’. Instead of Salve Regina, the community sang My Soul Doth Glory In the Lord. By Sr. Gabrielle Costumbrado, OSB

Outdoor Vespers in India

OKONGO (Windhoek Priory). On September 4 representatives from various institutions and sectors of Okongo were invited for the planning / workshop.  The day began with a prayer service honoring God's creation and being grateful for these gifts.  Resource speakers from the health ministry and the office on OKONGO, PAGE 4

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OKONGO, FROM PAGE 4sanitation & environment were invited for inputs like the importance of sanitation & its connection to health, ways and means to recycle, etc. The participants were given reflection questions. These were meant to help them come up with creative ideas on how Okongo can fully participate in caring for God's creation through concrete means like proper garbage segregation & collection, greening the town through tree planting and more aggressive information campaign among townsfolk, especially among the small communities.  Participants were inter-denominational.  the day ended with a pledge of commitment and a closing prayer and blessing by the Anglican pastor.  On September 7 a meeting with the village leaders was conducted to choose among them who the members of the committee to oversee the clean-up campaign (planning, execution, evaluation).   Of course it goes without saying the the sisters will take an active part in this committee.

By Sr. Angeline Arceo, OSB

MANILA. The sisters of the Manila community participated in the Walk for Creation and the Opening of the Season of Creation, 2017 in Burnham Green and the Manila Cathedral respectively. The holy mass in Brunham Green was officiated by Cardinal Tagle which was followed by the walk around the area. Bishop Pabillo gave the inspirational talk on ecology at the entrance of the cathedral. By Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB

Participants of the Okongo meeting on environmentheaded by Sr. Beate Schröter (1st row, second from right

central commission. Each chapter was divided into “spiritual” texts and juridical “norms”. The norms of the Chapter 6 are more numerous. After this follow the “supplementary norms” (Zusatz-normen), minor regulations of a more changeable kind which could be revised by the next General Chapter. The temporary constitutions would be presented to the Propaganda Fide. The Supplementary norms did not need to be presented to the Holy See. The chapter also issued some regulations on how to work out the Priory Statutes. These temporary constitutions were in use from 1970 – 1983 (date of approval). Generally one can say that these Constitutions met with much understanding and appreciation in the Congregation. To a high degree they were accepted by the Propaganda Fide. The pertinent Letter reads, e.g. “I am very glad to inform you that this Holy Congregation studied the above document with great interest and acknowledges the spirit which animates it, as well as the fine balance and feeling for reality with which the General Chapter sought to adapt the structure of your congregation to the requirements of the religious and missionary life of today, according to the principles of renewal set forth in the documents of Vatican II and thereafter.” (Quoted in the Letter of M. Gertrud: October 15 1971). The spiritual text took into account the biblical roots, RB, and especially the decrees of Vatican II. The main norms followed after each chapter (or sub-chapter) of the spiritual texts. The Supplementary norms formed the second (smaller) part of the whole of the temporary constitutions. Some observations to the whole. The Norms contain much spiritual text and are often explicit as regards the spiritual and psychological as well as the practical element. At this time already we saw our Congregation as one which has grown into an international congregation. together. DEVELOPMENT, PAGE 6

Part V

For most parts, the texts were newly elaborated by under-commissions, working in the framework of the central commission.

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• Sr. Liboria Mosler, 88, died in Tutzing on September 5

• Sr. Philomena Roche 85, died in Norfolk on September 6.

• Sr. Ancilla Casoni, 103, died in Rome on September 10.

• Sr. Edwiges Marcondes, 87, died in Sorocaba on September 24.

Sr. Anna Mary Adikina from Jinja to Manila

SUSCIPE ME

to the NEWLY FINAL PROFESSED SISTERS !

Sr. Cecilia Munguti from Nairobi to Haus St. Benedikt

SR. AQUINATACONDUCTSRB SEMINAR Sr. Aquinata Böckmann gave a conference on “Adsum in Christian and Benedictine Spirituality” at the Kornelimünster Abbey also known as Abbey of the Abbot Saint Benedict of Aniane and Pope Cornelius. It is   located in Aachen North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany on August 27. Present were around 100 p e r s o n s i n c l u d i n g Benedictine monks and nuns from the vicinity. The occasion was the golden jubilee of ordination of Abbot Emeritus Albert Altenahr.

DEVELOPMENT, FROM PAGE 5Preparation for 1976 In 1975 a new Preparation Commission (PrepCo) for the General Chapter was called to Rome. It should send questionnaires to the individual priories, and above all: collate and summarize all the different proposals,. The amount of these was exceptional in the history of our Congregation. They were more than 2000 voices. I guess that in no other General Chapter we had so many proposals, - a sign for the interest of the Sisters or the preoccupation to find our unity and common Charism in pluriformity. This was not so evident until years after Vatican II, and it lasted some time, till we were more conscious of what we “are” and of our special gift in the Church. A scheme about the structure of our Congregation according to nationality and age, posted before the chapter room, was an eye opener. It made clear that we are at a crossroad of our Congregation. Fr. Walbert Bühlmann OFMCap had given a conference on the shift of the Universal Church to Asia and Africa,

(to be continued)

Sr. Mary Martin Likuwa WindhoekSeptember 9

Sr. Joyce Iipakwa WindhoekSeptember 9

Sr. Tekla NyakiNdanda September 23