The sixth day of the 6th International Assembly of Formators was a deep dive into the very core of what it means to be a Holy Spirit Sister. On March 10, the focus was twofold: first, exploring the wellspring of the SSpS identity and charism, and second, examining the practical, life-defining expression of that identity through mission mandates.
SSpS Charism and Identity
Sr. Anna Damas, SSpS, led the morning session, beginning with the world of the SSpS founders. She highlighted how education and social demands in 19th-century Europe shaped women’s roles around family and household—a reality reflected in early religious life. However, Sr. Anna noted, religious life also offered women unique opportunities for education, travel, and leadership.
Bridging past and present, she posed key questions: “How do people look at religious sisters today? What qualities are sisters expected to have? Where do people expect us to be?” She emphasized the influence of environment, cautioning that “formation for one context may not prepare sisters for life elsewhere.”
Sr. Anna then introduced the concepts of ‘sameness’ (the continuity from our founders) and ‘selfness’ (our distinguishing charism). This led to working definitions:
Our Charism: Mission as outreach and encounter, especially with those on the margins.
Our Identity: Expressed through prayer and symbols, but its true essence is the love we have for God.
In small groups, participants crafted their own definitions of the charism, displayed on posters. Examples included:
“Living as a beloved of God, we are attentive to the Holy Spirit and open to the needs of the present world.”
“Communion in and for mission.”
“We are a spiritual community… We are bridges, promoting unity. We are prophetic women at the forefront.”
The session ended with personal reflection on new insights and questions.
