(Araras/SP) – The educational community of the house of Jardim Belvedere, in Araras, São Paulo, is carrying forward the project “Women 50+ with Magdalene”, an initiative dedicated to women in the community and designed to promote listening, formation, self-care and personal empowerment through meetings, workshops and moments of sharing.
The beginnings
At the end of 2025, the Canossian Sisters expressed a deep desire for a new project to come to life in the afternoons at the house of Jardim Belvedere, in Araras/SP, Brazil. To turn this seed into reality, some lay women were invited to join forces and, together, discern the best way to bring this proposal forward. The charism’s intention was clear: to allow lay people to take the lead in an evangelising and social action, using the space generously offered by the Congregation.[imperial.ac]
After this first moment, each of us began to reflect individually on the ideal format and the target group for this mission. In the light of the Holy Spirit, ideas began to sprout and blossom in our hearts.
Weaving ideas and identifying needs
Our first meeting took place on 25 November 2025. Guided and closely accompanied by the Sisters, we shared our concerns and began to dream together in communion. The proposal that resonated most strongly in our hearts was to develop a project specifically for women. This choice arose in the way every authentic project should begin: from close attention to the real needs of our people.
As we examined the profile of our community, we realised that, although the needs were many, there were already beautiful initiatives aimed at children and adolescents. However, we noticed a large group of women who take an active part in community life, but always behind the scenes, serving with tireless dedication. They are precious servants, yet they had not yet been placed at the centre of an initiative that looked at them. We are referring here to women over fifty. They have always served with joy and generosity; now our dream was to welcome them so that they might be heard and invited to look at themselves with the affection and respect they deserve.
As it could not be otherwise, Saint Magdalene of Canossa was our greatest inspiration, reminding us of her teaching:
“Moreover, all our actions and works must be animated by the Spirit of Jesus Christ: a most lovable, most generous and most patient Spirit”.
Planning and active listening
And so the project “Women 50+ with Magdalene” was born. Once the horizon had been defined, we began to structure what would be offered. The suggestions were many: sewing, crafts, self-care, physical exercise, choir, and so on. However, there were still questions about who would lead the workshops, how often the meetings would take place and how the modules would be organised.
After several meetings, always marked by enthusiasm and lightness, the team made up of lay women and sisters understood that the best way to align the project would be to listen to the intended beneficiaries themselves. We therefore decided to organise an afternoon tea so that they could express their wishes and expectations. We prepared the invitations and, on 22/04/2026, went from house to house to deliver them in person, inviting them to bring friends from the same age group
The meeting and first fruits
On the appointed day, 05/05/2026, the excitement was palpable. Our initial expectation was modest: we hoped for the presence of six to ten women. To our great surprise, we were blessed with a larger number: sixteen women attended, together with representatives of ALARA (the Support Association in the Fight Against Cancer).
During the gathering, we proposed an activity to allow them to share their desires. Drawing on the reflections they offered, we jointly put together a thematic schedule for the semester and accepted their request for fortnightly meetings. The enthusiasm of that day was contagious. We prepared a table thoughtfully decorated with delicacy and affection, already in homage to mothers and in celebration of the 8th, the day of our Foundress. The women showed great joy in sharing that space as a group, enjoying moments dedicated to self-care and fellowship.
Since then, our meetings have reflected this synergy. Following the agreed schedule, we have already held a day of social integration, an important talk on women’s health and, more recently, a lively June festival. On all these occasions, participation has exceeded expectations, attracting new members who were warmly welcomed. We are now preparing to close the semester with a bingo event eagerly anticipated by all.
Through this project, we hope to offer quality of life and spiritual renewal to those who give so much to the Church and to their families. The testimonies gathered — despite the short time we have been walking together — show that this work has already borne good fruit in their lives and, certainly, in ours as well. Their smiles urge us to move forward, hand in hand, guided by the wise words of Saint Magdalene’s spiritual director:
“Let us allow ourselves to be guided by our Good Father, who loves us for certain and knows, infallibly, what is best for us…” (Letter No. 36 of D. Libera).
Silvia Falavigna – Canossian Lay Woman
