AMOR XIV (Asia/Oceania Meeting of Religious Women):

Logo of AMOR XIV designed by Sr. Maria Teresita Kim SND

The AMOR 14 meeting which is held every 3 years took place from April 24 to May 4 in Uiwangshi, Korea, after 21 years since AMOR took place in Korea in 1985.

The theme of AMOR XIV was Mary and Women Religious of Asia /Oceania - Contemplative Prophets. When the EXCO Committee of ASC met with the Preparatory Committee of AMOR X1V in 2003, they reflected on the situation of the world and our place in it. Those who were at the meeting agreed. Personally I believe that it is important that religious life today should be of service to the world, to the Church and to humanity. As Religious of Asia / Oceania in this rapidly changing world, our contribution is the proclamation of a prophetic voice lived with a contemplative spirit. In other words, as religious we are called to be the voice of God today - Contemplation in Action / Action in Contemplation. In Mary we see the perfect model of this in her magnificat of contemplative prophecy.

When I look back at my experience of AMOR XIV as a chairperson of the Preparatory Committee, the following are some of my reflections.

I was energised by the group as a whole, coming from 20 countries in Asia and Oceania. The diversity of people from a variety of cultures, traditions and realities, yet the oneness as Sisters in Christ, created enormous energy among us. The most important issue of this Meeting was ‘Who we are and what we are about.’ The participants felt the need in today’s world to be “more glued” to God and to be more prophetic, like Miriam of Nazareth. As RSCJ I came to understand better what totally apostolic and yet totally contemplative means.

I was impressed by flexibility, participation, different ways of expressing ourselves (music, dance, symbols) and a great sense of joy and freedom. The way we related among ourselves as Asian women was a message.

I was challenged by the many stories of the religious women present who are truly ministering under great difficulties but who are women prepared to continue under such conditions in order to proclaim the true value of religious life and reach out to every person with great respect and concern, particularly those most marginalised by society or the Church. I was challenged by the exposure program to continue to be proactive regarding the social ills of our days and do what I can to collaborate with others regarding specific issues of the day.

I was amazed by the generosity and hospitality of our Korean Sisters, which was beyond my expectation. Each member ( around 10000 members enrolled in the Association of the Major Superiors of Women Religious) donated 5 US dollars to finance the participation of some members from other countries who could not have come but whose presence was so much valued. This occasion was for the Korean Women Religious a time for an eye-opening experience and growth.

I was convinced that we have something to contribute to the universal church. During our AMOR Meeting, we realized that the religious life in Asia/ Oceania is alive and appreciated. We have something to contribute and to share with the Churches outside Asia. “Blessed are you among women…” is a word to each one of us, and we need to empower other less privileged women with this blessedness.

Kim Sook Hee rscj
Province of Korea

To read or download the statement of AMOR XIV participants, click here ( 48kb).

To read the talk given to the conference by Choi Hae Young rscj; ”Blessed are the Women of Faith: Women Religious of Asia/Oceania Called to Being Contemplative Prophets”, click here.