www.livestrong.com September

Volume V Issue No. 5 September- October 2017

M. ANGELA ANNOUNCES In this Issue: XIII GENERAL CHAPTER Generalate/Election of the Prioress ...... 2 Mother Angela Strobel announced on September 23, the eve of the CIB Meeting...... 3 132nd Foundation of the Congregation , the convocation of the World Day Prayer Thirteenth General Chapter for Creation...... 4 of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing Constitutions...... 5 to be held at the Casa Santo Spirito in Rome Events...... 6 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

Participants

Foundation Day decoration in the chapel of Casa Santo Spirito, Rome (September 24, 2017) Congregation Lifestream 2 Sr. Regina (l) and Sr. Lumen (r) during the welcome rite at the doorsteps of Punalur

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

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

M. Angela (m) cuts her feastday cake assisted by Sr. Caridad (l) and Sr. Maoro (r) Punalur Community Seated l-r: Sr. Ma. Gratia Balagot, Sr. Lumen Gloria and Sr. Regina

September 1- December 12 M. Angela Strobel and Sr. Caridad Choi are having their on-going canonical visitation in the 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 Novitiate members of Daegu profession of 11 sisters on October 8.

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

October 20-22 Sr. Adelaida Ygrubay was re-elected nd rd Prioress of the Manila Priory for a Arrival of Sr. Regina(2 r) and Sr. Salete(3 r) term of three years during an Election Chapter held at St. M. Angela Scholastica’s Spirituality Center, Sisters with the Angolan children Tagaytay. The Chapter was l-r: Sr. Vitoria Resende, Sr. Salete and Sr. Regina 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! Congregation Lifestream 3

CIB HOLDS MEETING IN deeply when we made a visit to the Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine in By Sr. Rosann Ocken, OSB where countless martyrs shed their blood for their Twenty-two Benedictine nuns and sisters from eleven different regions faith. throughout the world met in South Korea for the Conference of the The name, “Jeoldusan” Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB). Our Daegu Priory was the means, “Mountain of primary site for our eleven-day meeting but visits were also made to the beheading.” It was so Olivetan Community and our St. Gertrud Priory in Seoul. Seven named because of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters participated in the twelve-day program martyrs who were September 8-19. beheaded there. The Key topics on the agenda included, planning for the 2018 CIB symposium reliquary below the main that will be held in Rome, financial and various regional reports. We had altar conserves the relics of interesting discussions about the future of CIB and M. Mariangela Yator 27 saints. showed photos of the Italian damaged a year ago by the Throughout our days we earthquakes. Almost US$200,000 was collected through CIB for renovations were mindful of the critical of their monasteries. Over and over again M. Mariangela spoke of the situation in North Korea. appreciation of the communities who received both prayer and financial We placed this deep support from all over the world. concern for the Korean We had the special privilege to visit the Unmunsa Buddhist Temple not too People in our prayers. As far from Daegu. This is the largest training center for Buddhist nuns in the days of the conference Korea established in 560. At present there are about 160 nuns living and came to an end, I felt so studying there. Several Buddhist nuns spent the day with us showing us the proud of our sisters in both grounds, telling of their life, and sharing lunch with us. for their Visits were also made to our Benedictine Brothers in outstanding and generous near Daegu and of St. Joseph Priory in Seoul. Blazio and the hospitality, their witness of monks gave us a grand welcome. Of special interest were the amazing dedication to the workshops of the monks in Waegwan and the large pear orchard at St. Benedictine life, and Joseph’s. Many of the sisters know the former Abbot Odo and were committed service to the delighted to meet him at Waegwan. Church. 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

Buddhist Abbess Jim-Kwang with M. Angela

OSB Tutzing Participants At the Waegwan Abbey From l-r: Sr. Dolores Hong, Sr. Vania Toscano, M. Angela Strobel, M. Maoro M. Rose Marie, former Sye, M. Rose Marie Hwang, Sr. Rosann Ocken and Sr. Mary Daniel Park Abbot Odo, Sr. Dolores Congregation Lifestream 4

INDIA. The sun was struggling to show up its golden rays behind dark clouds as we processed, each Outdoor Vespers in India one of us with a small plant, a bunch of flowers, stones of different sizes and colors, a pair of cute priory's appointed chairperson of the JPIC, gold fish in a crystal bottle and many more to a led the guided rosary on Caring for place in the yard to pray Vespers on September 1. We Creation composed by Pope Francis. were welcomed by our cows and goats grazing a few At compline which was integrated with feet away, our faithful dog trying to protect our the presentation on Care of Creation, the privacy from intruders and the freshness of the plants Sisters and Formandees were given flower- and trees around. After depositing our offerings at shaped papers where they were told to write their pledge on how to help in the the altar, prayer followed smoothly, the texts lovingly healing of our environment. These were prepared and chosen for the occasion by our Junior later pinned to the bulletin board so that we sisters. It was such a wonderful experience to spend would be reminded of what we wrote or the last hours of the day united in prayers to the rest MFP Participantspledged. of humanity wonderful experience to spend the last The bulletin board looked colorful with hours of the day united in prayers to the rest of all our pledges. For the closing prayer, we humanity with the loving presence of our Vicaress, all prayed A Prayer for Our Earth from Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca, OSB. and General Laudato Si’. Instead of Salve Regina, the Councillor, Sr. Regina Tesch, OSB. on this beautiful community sang My Soul Doth Glory In “Day of Prayer for Creation.” the Lord. By Sr. Ma. Gratia Balagot, OSB By Sr. Gabrielle Costumbrado, OSB

OKONGO (Windhoek Priory). On PERAMIHO. The Peramiho Priory September 4 representatives from various Community gathered together with students institutions and sectors of Okongo were invited of Peramiho Girls Secondary School at the for the planning / workshop. The day began with Marian statue for the opening day of the a prayer service honoring God's creation and being grateful for these gifts. Resource speakers World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation from the health ministry and the office on on Septermber 1. Sister Judith Kombe, the OKONGO, PAGE 4

Sisters and students gathered at prayer before the Marian statue <-- Flower-shaped pledges on how to heal the environment Congregation Lifestream 5

Part V

For most parts, the texts were newly elaborated by under- commissions, working in the framework of the central commission. central commission. Each chapter was divided into “spiritual” texts and juridical “norms”. The Participants of the Okongo meeting on environment norms of the Chapter 6 are more numerous. After headed by Sr. Beate Schröter (1st row, second from this follow the “supplementary norms” (Zusatz- right normen), minor regulations of a more changeable kind which could be revised by the next General Chapter. The temporary constitutions would be OKONGO, FROM PAGE 4 presented to the Propaganda Fide. The sanitation & environment were invited for inputs like Supplementary norms did not need to be presented the importance of sanitation & its connection to to the Holy See. The chapter also issued some health, ways and means to recycle, etc. regulations on how to work out the Priory The participants were given reflection questions. Statutes. These temporary constitutions were in These were meant to help them come up with creative use from 1970 – 1983 (date of approval). ideas on how Okongo can fully participate in caring Generally one can say that these Constitutions met for God's creation through concrete means like proper with much understanding and appreciation in the garbage segregation & collection, greening the town Congregation. To a high degree they were through tree planting and more aggressive accepted by the Propaganda Fide. The pertinent information campaign among townsfolk, especially Letter reads, e.g. “I am very glad to inform you among the small communities. that this Holy Congregation studied the above Participants were inter-denominational. the document with great interest and acknowledges day ended with a pledge of commitment and a closing the spirit which animates it, as well as the fine prayer and blessing by the Anglican pastor. balance and feeling for reality with which the On September 7 a meeting with the village leaders General Chapter sought to adapt the structure of was conducted to choose among them who the your congregation to the requirements of the members of the committee to oversee the clean-up religious and missionary life of today, according campaign (planning, execution, evaluation). Of to the principles of renewal set forth in the course it goes without saying the the sisters will take documents of Vatican II and thereafter.” (Quoted an active part in this committee. in the Letter of M. Gertrud: October 15 1971). The spiritual text took into account the biblical By Sr. Angeline Arceo, OSB roots, RB, and especially the decrees of Vatican II. The main norms followed after each chapter (or sub-chapter) of the spiritual texts. The MANILA. The sisters of the Manila community Supplementary norms formed the second (smaller) participated in the Walk for Creation and the Opening part of the whole of the temporary constitutions. of the Season of Creation, 2017 in Burnham Green Some observations to the whole. The Norms and the Manila Cathedral respectively. The holy contain much spiritual text and are often explicit mass in Brunham Green was officiated by Cardinal as regards the spiritual and psychological as well Tagle which was followed by the walk around the as the practical element. At this time already we area. Bishop Pabillo gave the inspirational talk on saw our Congregation as one which has grown ecology at the entrance of the cathedral. into an international congregation. together. By Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB DEVELOPMENT, PAGE 6 Congregation Lifestream 6

to the NEWLY FINAL PROFESSED SISTERS !

SUSCIPE ME

Sr. Joyce Iipakwa Sr. Mary Martin Likuwa Sr. Tekla Nyaki Windhoek Windhoek Ndanda September 9 September 9 September 23 SR. AQUINATA DEVELOPMENT, FROM PAGE 5 Preparation for 1976 CONDUCTS In 1975 a new Preparation Commission RB SEMINAR (PrepCo) for the General Chapter was called Sr. Aquinata Böckmann to Rome. It should send questionnaires to the gave a conference on individual priories, and above all: collate and “Adsum in Christian and Benedictine Spirituality” at summarize all the different proposals,. The the Kornelimünster Abbey amount of these was exceptional in the also known as Abbey of the history of our Congregation. They were more Abbot Saint Benedict of than 2000 voices. I guess that in no other Sr. Cecilia Munguti Aniane and Pope Cornelius. General Chapter we had so many proposals, - It is located in Aachen from Nairobi to a sign for the interest of the Sisters or the Haus St. Benedikt North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany on August 27. preoccupation to find our unity and common Present were around 100 Charism in pluriformity. This was not so p e r s o n s i n c l u d i n g evident until years after Vatican II, and it Benedictine monks and nuns lasted some time, till we were more from the vicinity. The conscious of what we “are” and of our occasion was the golden special gift in the Church. A scheme about the jubilee of ordination of structure of our Congregation according to Abbot Emeritus Albert Sr. Anna Mary Adikina Altenahr. nationality and age, posted before the chapter from Jinja to Manila 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 • Sr. Liboria Mosler, 88, died in Tutzing on Church to Asia and Africa, September 5 (to be continued) • 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.