A source of wonder ….

Esmey Herscovitch rscj 

Often we hear it said that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts; I think this may be a way of speaking of the life of the chapter community here in Lima.  I sense a power, an energy that is enabling the group, that is the life of the group, but it cannot be perceived by the usual five senses.  In reflecting on this experience I realise that our motto Corunum et anima una in corde Jesu is the source of this energy or power. The words "chapter community" are used deliberately as it seems to me that, while some are capitulants and some have other roles, there is a sense of communion; we pray together, we eat together, we go out together, and all are working towards the same end.

It is a source of wonder to me that women from so many backgrounds are able to live, discern, and work together despite differences not only of culture and language, but also of history.  This was especially highlighted at the liturgy for the feast of the Transfiguration during which we remembered the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945.  The Japanese and U.S.A. capitulants prepared a liturgy of great
dignity and beauty, and Mieko Uno and Barbara Bowe alternated, reflection by reflection, in giving the homily during which they shared on the gospel reading of the day and the terrible events in August 1945.  At the end of the liturgy all were invited to take a paper crane each, symbol of peace. Reconciliation, peace, and communion are possible and are, perhaps, not
achieved once and for all but grow and deepen over time.

Similarly, the achievement of the chapter will not be the completion of our time here in Lima but will happen over time as RSCJs live out spirituality and  dialogue of cultures during the coming 8 years and beyond.