In Singapore, at the Canossian Sisters’ Provincial House, a seminar entitled “Welcoming the Grace of Evening: Living Well, Leaving Well” took place from 14 to 21 September. The 35 participating Sisters were offered an integrated programme of formation, pastoral accompaniment and personal growth.
During the first week, the Sisters attended a presentation by Brother Eugene Vaz on the role of older people in the Church, based on statements by recent Popes. This was followed by a presentation by Dr Angeline Seah on the ageing process, as well as a journey of personal reflection and interiorisation aimed at helping the Sisters to become spiritual companions to older people.
The activities of the second week began with a contribution from Sister Melissa Dwyer, General Councillor, who helped the participants to recognise that caring for older Sisters with love, gratitude and compassion is a concrete expression of the Canossian charism.
Subsequently, Sisters Ann Tan and Liz Tham explored several fundamental virtues of pastoral accompaniment, drawing on the life witness of Saint Magdalene of Canossa: listening, empathy, kindness and the ability to recognise Christ in every vulnerable person.
The reflections were then translated into practical experiences during a visit to Canossa Convent in Kluang, Malaysia, and through participation in the Namaste Care programme, delivered over the course of a full day at the Provincial House in Singapore.
The experience of service was accompanied by a period of personal spiritual growth developed during the session “Discovering Our Future Journey”. The Sisters were invited to transform their inner wounds rather than project them onto others, fostering greater awareness in the way they live out their relationships and service.
As a whole, the second week offered a coherent and progressive journey: rooted in the Canossian charism, expressed through practical experiences of care in Singapore and Malaysia, and supported by ongoing spiritual discernment.
