Introduction
“As members of an international congregation, we recognize our obligation and opportunities to develop a world vision and a sense of global responsibility. Our internationality challenges us to witness to unity in a divided world; to discover unsuspected ways of sharing what we have, especially with the poor and marginalized; and to search for new channels of service in the universal church” (You Are Sent, Constitution 26)
Today, we gather in a world that is deeply connected – and yet deeply divided. The cries of suffering in one corner of the globe affect the peace of the whole globe. We are called not only to be aware, but to respond. As people of faith, we, SSND, must allow the Gospel to shape our thinking and our acting – so that our concern for justice is not limited by geography, politics, or convenience.
Call to Prayer
God of Justice and Compassion, You created one human family, knit together across lands, languages, and lives. You call us to open our hearts not only to those nearby, but to the cries of the poor, the oppressed, and the forgotten across the world.
In our countries and across every nation, may our actions speak your love. Let us not wait for others to move first, but stir us to respond quickly when dignity is denied, when peace is broken, when your children are in need. Amen.
Experience
Mary, a 21-year-old from the refugee camp in South Sudan, grew up in a region torn by conflict. As a child, she witnessed violence that claimed the lives of neighbors and displaced entire families.
Everything began to change when she joined a trauma healing workshop organized by local church leaders and international partners. There, she learned to name her pain, listen to others' stories, and realize that healing and peace start from within. What struck her most was the idea that she was not alone, and that her healing could be part of a larger movement for peace.
Together with other youth from the workshop, she helped form a Justice and Peace youth group, which began organizing nonviolence training in different places, creating safe spaces for dialogue between tribes. They even spoke on local radio to promote unity.
Mary’s story reminds us that thinking globally doesn’t mean ignoring our own local struggles — it means understanding that our local actions have global impact. Her story connects the pain of one village with the hope of many nations. These young people are also acting globally, because their witness challenges the world to believe in change.
Reflection
As women consecrated to God and to the service of others, we are called to live with a heart that embraces the world. The charism of unity that animates our vocation is not limited to the walls of our convents or the borders of our countries – it is a divine impulse that draws us toward every person, every wound, and every cry for peace and communion.
We are called to feel the pain of a child in Gaza, to rejoice with a youth finding hope in a South Sudanese village, to intercede for migrants crossing deserts and seas. It means allowing the realities of the world to enter our prayer, our decisions, and our mission priorities. We do not serve only the needs of our surroundings – we carry the joys and sufferings of humanity in our hearts.
We are called to build bridges in our communities, promote reconciliation among divided groups, and nurture a culture of encounter wherever we are. But it also means using our networks, our voices, and our lives to influence change beyond our local context.
Unity is not passive – it is prophetic. It dares to embrace the "we" of humanity. In this time of fragmentation, our charism is both a balm and a challenge: to be signs and instruments of communion, locally rooted and globally open. Let us keep listening to the Spirit who sends us forth – one community, one heart, for the one world God so deeply loves.
Jesus never stayed where he was comfortable.
He crossed boundaries – religious, cultural, and political – to reach the forgotten.
He saw the world with eyes of love and acted immediately to bring justice.
Action
Let us ask ourselves:
- What can I do today to respond to injustice – right here in my community?
- How can I raise awareness, stand in solidarity, or offer concrete help to those far from me in geography but close in God’s heart?
- What habits or comforts keep me from acting quickly and prophetically?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, you came not just for one people, but for the salvation of the whole world.
Make our hearts global in love and local in service.
May we never ignore the cries of the poor, nor delay our response to injustice.
Let your Spirit burn in us so that we may think with wisdom, act with courage, and live with compassion – both here and across the earth. We are your hands and your feet. Send us where love is needed most. Amen.
Prepared by Sr. Ruth Karina Ubillus (South Sudan) for the International Shalom Network.
Graphic taken from 25th General Chapter design by Joyelle Proot, SSND CP
