Rome Journal 2 February 16, 2022

 

We are in the only convent we have in Italy. A HUGE house which dates from 1860. We, Cluny, share it with a religious community named Chemen Nuef, which is an Association of the Faithful. They are consecrated religious and in charge of caring for and maintaining the building as a guest house. The eleven Cluny Sisters and Chemen Nuef  community share this wonderful space.

The Cluny Sisters who travelled from outside EU countries had to remain in quarantine, some for 5 days after arrival, others 10 days. I went for my a test yesterday and was cleared—negative. So I can now go “sightseeing”!!!   More on that topic later. 

 

We do have an audience on the schedule with Pope Francis -- a General Audience.  Private Audiences are given only to groups who are having Chapters.

The Council of the Congregation is composed of 38 sisters.  The General Council with Provincials, Vice Provincials and Regionals and our representative in Rome. The sisters in Australia and New Zealand are joining (two Provincials, and two observers) via Zoom.

Cluny sisters from other missions have come for secretarial work, kitchen and dining room service and translations. There are 3 professional translators as well—the sisters do simultaneous and written translation, the professionals do only simultaneous. 

Meal times are quite the, as one sister put it, the Tower of Babel (yes, it is babel). It can be quite the challenge to carry on conversations with four different languages. But it is an experience and we have many a laugh.

Quick Look at the Schedule

The daily schedule is full, as the agenda has many items and we are trying to do as much as possible in the time we are gathered as the Council of the Congregation.

Meals- Breakfast 7:45 - 8:30am; Lunch 1:00 - 2:00; Supper 7:15pm

Prayer - Morning Faith Sharing 9:15am ; Evening Mass  6:16pm, a different   language group prepares each day

Three Table Sessions at 10:00am; 3:00pm and 5:00pm

 There are 2 Break times; one in the morning and one in the afternoon

 

Opening  Mass

The Council of the Congregation opened with a beautiful Mass in diverse languages and with diverse rituals.  Here are a few photos taken.  See more on the Website  

www.flickr.com/photos/142508620@N02/with/51892565761/

https://sj-cluny.org/Council-of-the-Congregation-Videos?lang=fr

Thank you, Sister Genevieve for sharing your first impressions of Rome and the Leadership Council.  Be assured of our continued support and prayers.  We look forward to hearing more!