Closing Address SEDOS Residential Seminar

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Mission,

As we come to the close of this enriching SEDOS Residential Seminar 2025, my heart overflows with deep gratitude.

As we heard in the creative presentations of our key learnings form this week, we were not only enriched with new learning but transformed. Through the sessions and reflections, through prayer and conversation the Conversations in the Spirit, through laughter and silent contemplation, the Holy Spirit has gently woven our diverse threads into a single tapestry of mission, prophecy, and witness.

Thank you to our Sisters of the Holy Union who led us in prayer to open our session.

Thank you to every speaker who enriched us so much with their sharing. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle reminded us that missionaries reach out particularly to those being rejected by society rooted and that our call in synodality is to take a humble walk with others, as God has done in Salvation History. Fr. Fabio Ciardi, OMI, helped us understand how the synodal path calling us into dialogue with other charisms and with the needs of the world will clarify our own identity, will help sharpen our understanding of the charism entrusted to us for God’s mission. Fr. Márcio Flávio Martin, CICM, gave us an enlightening overview of what a prophet is chosen and equipped to be and challenged us with his provocative question – are missionaries sufficiently prophetic? and We were challenged by that, honestly facing our yes and no answers to that question. And finally, our panel of witnesses: Sr. Joan Agnes Njambi Matimu, MC and Sr. Maria Nirmalini, AC, Fr. Antonio Porcellato, SMA and Donatella Acerbi, all broadened our perspectives on practical ways in which we can live synodally. We are grateful to all for their sharing.

Since I came to Rome some 12 years ago, I have tried to attend this SEDOS Residential Seminar as often as possible and I know I have attended faithfully for the past six years while I have been serving on the Executive Committee. I can honestly say for me this one has a different quality and feel to it. And while each group is different, I really attribute this to the methodology we have used here this week.

Beginning our day with Lectio Divina has helped us to already attune our ears to God’s spirit in a particularly attentive way. Thank you to Sr Nirmala Gnanapragasam, FMM who is a member of the SEDOS Executive Committee who unfortunately due to other commitments was not able to be here this week. Sr. Nirmala carefully selected and prepared all of our texts and reflections for the morning prayers.

Building on the relationships being fostered through our Lectio Divina, the Conversations in the Spirit enabled us to listen to the voice of the Spirit speaking in and through us. It was so touching to hear groups begin their feedback with ‘The Spirit moved us to share the following:’. It reminded me of the New Testament Churches who would write, it pleased us and the Holy Spirit… and synodality is after all pushing us to reclaim the essence of being Church together that the early Church experienced.

The feedback and dialogue in the plenary session has been profound. I am grateful to each and every one of us gathered here for the commitment we took to giving each other the gift of our discerned wisdom.

There are many people without whom this seminar could not have happened.

Here present in this room, our three wonderful interpreters: We are most grateful to you all for helping us break down our communication barriers… It is such an important service you have offered us but more than that, your very presence among us has also been enriching. Thank you sincerely.

We have been very comfortable and well looked after here. Our sincere thanks to the SVD community and to all the staff who have offered us a missionary welcome, allowing us the space to be ourselves and use the space for our needs.

Thanks also to those who took responsibility for organising the Eucharistic celebrations each day in the different languages.

Thanks to Fr Antonio Gilberto Marqueses, SVD and Sr Rifat Arya, Sisters of Charity of St. Jeanne Antide Thouret, who co-ordinated our cultural evening which was a wonderful success, greatly enjoyed by all.

A special word of thanks to the SEDOS Staff who have been ever present and always busy. It is a small staff, as you can see but extremely gracious and efficient. Thank you to Srs. Celine and Christy. Also, to Philippa who is not with us this week but who does some translation work and who helped in the preparations.

To all the members of the SEDOS Executive Committee. Not all are present. Two were here on Monday night: Fr. Alain Mayama, CSSp, the Vice President who moderated the opening session; Sr Jerly Renacia, SSpS, who is our Bursar was also present the first evening but was not able to stay for the week. Here present you have seen all of us: Sr Oyidu Okwori, SHCJ, who moderated on Tuesday, Fr. Edgardo Guzman, CMF, who moderated on Wednesday, Fr. John Paul, SVD, our Executive Director whom you all know and Bro. René Stockman, FC, who has been our ‘listener’ for the week. Thanks to each and every one for what we share as a committee which for me is a wonderful experience of Synodality. I would also like to thank Sr. Anna Damas, SSpS, who has served as a Board member since October 2022 and just completed her service as she has moved to Vienna on a new mission appointment. We are most grateful to Anna and her Congregation for the service offered.

Finally thank you to each and every one of you, for this week to be a fruitful experience for it all, it demanded a high level of commitment and participation from all. And we all gave of our best. Thank you sincerely.

Our gathering here has ended, but the journey continues. Let us return to our communities as seeds of synodality. Let us keep alive the spirit of this week: humble in listening, bold in mission, and joyful in hope.

May the God of tenderness bless each of you and guide the path ahead. And may we meet again, transformed by the Spirit, united in purpose, and still walking together — one body, many members, one heart in mission.

Thank you. Grazie. Merci. Gracias. Asante. Dhanyavaad. And all the languages in which God has spoken to us this week.