Seminar Evaluation

1. Quelles idées emportez-vous avec vous lors de ce Séminaire?

Dieu n’est pas resté indifferent à nos misères depuis la Création, il est descendu et continue à descendre vers l’humanité blessée et de manière préférencielle vers les pauvres qui sont sacrement par excellence de sa présence. Par conséquence, notre mission aujourd’hui ne peut passer outre les visages de la pauvreté.
Dieu choisit les pauvres. Il ne les abandonne pas. Ne pas ignorer le pauvre.
Le séminaire nous a rappelé notre mission avec l’option écclesiale pour les pauvres. La collaboration et le travail en réseau pour la même mission; la fideleté à la mission qui nous a été confiée. Etre évangélisateur avec le pauvre et pour le pauvre. Nous sommes appelés à discerner les nouvelles formes de la pauvreté et nous y engager.
nos charisimes peuvent s’ouvrirent davantages à d’autres appels pour s’enrichir des dons et grâces de Dieu.
Appels à évaluer et discerner nos insertions ministérielles - la formation des membres de nos congregations.

2. Avez-vous trouvé des informations précieuses pour votre ministère?

La mission auprès de pauvres demande de nous une relation profonde (dans la prière) avec Jésus, une proximité réelle (toucher la réalité)

Cette mission demande de la passion, de l’humilité, savoir nous laisser évangelisés, transformés. Par discernement de nouvelles pauvrétés, travailler en synergie.

La spiritualité franciscaine est une réponse concrète à la mission.
Avoir le souci de former et accompagner des personnes consacrées à l’oeuvre.

Les temoignages nous ont ouvert les horizons; être la voix des sans voix à travers les resaux sociaux per la technologie.
Savoir utilizer les médias pour évangéliser.
Oui, j’ai trouvé des informations très intéressantes: la spiritualité franciscaine est une réponse concrète de la présence de Dieu – le PMU encourage la formation et l’accompagnement des personnes consacrées à l’oeuvre de Dieu.

3. Avez-vous des suggestions pour améliorer le séminaire?

L’unique suggestion pour les travaux de réflexion, ou la matière à donner (textes, considerer les langues qui sont parler par les participants (Exemple: le guide de Lectio Divina et autres: que chaque groupe puisse l’avoir dans sa langue de travail).
Que les groupes de travail ne soient pas dans des lieux de passage pour une meilleure concentration.
Pour les groupes, si possible ne pas mettre deux soeurs de la même congregation dans le même groupe. – être flexible par rapport aux intervenants. – le temps de petit groupe – le thème était bien.

Merci pour l’organisation, nous avons assez de temps pour les partages qui nous ont permi de nous écouter et nous enrichir mutuellement.

Seminar Evaluation by Spanish Groups

1. ¿Qué ideas te llevas de este seminario?

Me llevo mis batterias cargadas de amor a Dios y a la mision. Mi doy cuenta que la cercanía de Dios revitaliza. La condivisione que hemos tenido me hace beber de nuestro propio pozo. Crecemos como iglesia en nuestra diversidad. Más que ideas me llevo dos experiencias muy importantes:

Experiencia spiritual que fortalece mi dependencia de Dios Fuente y origen de la mission,

Me recargado más energía misionera que me impulsa a renovar mi pasión por Cristo – mi pasión por la misión – mi pasión por el pueblo de Dios.

Continuar descubriendo que Dios me sigue llamado al servicio de los vulnerables de los más pobres con en medio de la mision que me ho pedido. Difusion del motodo sinodal de servicio.

Las experiencia de cada una de los participantes de este encuentro.

Más que ideas, me llevo las experiencia del compartir con hermanas y hermanos de diferentes culturas que estamos remando unidas al Señor y que dependemos de su amor.

2. ¿Encontró algunas ideas valiosas para su ministerio?

Una cercanía más autentica con los pobres. Una dependencia muy profunda de Dios que me lleva a un compromiso más autentico con la mision.
Muchisimas, reforzar mi opción por los pobres para q’ellos unidos puedan salir adel ante y tratar de ver la vida desde su óptica. Difundir el método sinodal, trabajar en redes. El compatir en la confianza desde el corazón. Seguir el camino propuesto por el Papa Francesco de una Iglesia pobre en salida.
Si, me ha permitido reportar la opción que he hecha o nivel personal y congregacional, esto ha sido influenciado a tienes vér de la presencia de Dios.
Si, el de caminar con los más necesitados y usar el método que el P. Vicent nos a compartido: a) Jerusalén a Emaús, b) Jesusalén a Jerico c) Jerusalén a Damasco.

3 ¿Tiene alguna sugerencia para mejorar el seminario?

No tengo sugerencias sino solo agradecimiento por este seminario tan rico y concreto.
Me encantaron las liturgias, sobre todo que los sacedotes se sentiran con el pueblo, es la vez la misa no nos separó.
Pedirles a todos los ponentes que presenten un buen power point. Probar el sonido de los power point antes de presentarlos, porque fue una lástima que no se pudieron traducir las intervenciónes de los pobres.
Presentar al inicio del Seminario Residencial un pequeño video (3 minutos) que explique el origen y objetivos de SEDOS porque al final de seminario muchos de los participantes no saben que es SEDOS y que significan las siglas: SEDOS.
El día cultural se realce en un segundo día, en que se permitira una mayor interacción.
Yo conosco bien a SEDOS y creo que es necesario e importante que se nos presente porque hoy hermanas y hermanos de otros paises que sólo han venida a participar al Seminario.

Seminar Evaluation by English Groups

1. What ideas are you taking with you from this Seminar?

Looking positively at the poor. Being ready to prepare Sisters for mission. Open the door to new ministries in our community.
God’s grace is enough for the mission – remember to put God at the centre.

I am taking with me the importance of cooperation, listening to the needs of people, and strengthening our mission of service to the poor and vulnerable.
Who are the new poor of our time. We are all missionaries; we shall be credible witnesses. Presence, listening, walking with the poor and accompanying them is essential and come before action.
The poor are the face of God, a place of my mission and salvation of the world. Mission is dependent on God, so I commit to strengthen my spirituality, anchoring my life and ministry on the Source who is God in order to proclaim the Gospel. Alone I am weak; to be effective I have to network, discern and respond together.

The poor are not objects of charity. They need respectful listening and connecting, treating with dignity. Need to be sensitive and perceive the new forms of poverty arising around us, and connect with that and share. Helping the poor is not only charity, but also helps us to receive from them and grow in mutual relationship.

With dependence on God and in solidarity with one another mission is very possible; have success. Embrace the unknown face of God through the culture of encounter. The poor are our spiritual teachers, evangelizers.

New Poor (identifying, naming).

Knowledge that the poor are everywhere in the world, and issues of human trafficking need networking, cooperation to reach a positive result. We should continue to be a Risk-Taker. Trust in God.

Love is the heart of Mission. Contemplation of Love and union with Love enable us to see Jesus’ presence in others, especially the poor. In them, we see the unknown face of God. This calls us to communion with them.

A missionary is first called to trust in God’s providence and guidance. Listening is an essential part of mission today. The Poor are not only recipients of mission, but also teachers who reveal God’s presence. Mission today also calls for co-operation and intercultural openness among missionaries and local communities.

The Poor are not objects of charity, but the Living Presence of Christ. As a disciple of Christ Poverty is a choice I must make. Choice of new Poor needs Discernment, Networking, Spirituality, Sacrifice.

The idea of bringing Christ to the new Poor. We are all poor and all have something to offer. Dare, go out, break down the barriers and reach out.

Our Church has needs; love and liberation. People hunger for physical, spiritual, psychological food. New form of poverty is emerging. We participate in God’s mission of loving and liberating God’s people. To be effective, mission formation and education are needed.

Our responsibility to the poor. God chooses the poor to give them human dignity. We are called to build a just, egalitarian society.

Global and local way of influencing the world. The strength we have as religious for a cooperative effort for a better world.

2. Did you find some valuable insights for your ministry?

I got much input that will help me grow in my religious life.
Create new mission for the poor. I feel proud of being Catholic and that the Catholic mission deals with those in need.
To be more passionate about what I do. To be sensitive to the new needs around me…

Yes, I learned the importance of supporting our sisters who are directly involved in the ministry to the poor and promoting team-work on mission as well as strengthening communication within communities.

I can’t fix every problem or change the situation of the poor, but I can be there for them and that makes a difference.

Networking and partnership are the way to the future in ministry. Service to the poor is mutually beneficial. Dare and trust, take up the risk and persevere because love is greater; God’s grace is sufficient. Discernment is very necessary: observe, discern and act — in order to respond appropriately to the needs of the poor.

Yes: option for poor, needs to make a shift as option to receive from the poor. The whole movement towards the poor to be evolved from the deeper experience of Divine Love and intimacy, as well as from the desire to reflect the same to others.

Yes. Pay more attention to the New Poor in my ministry. Practice Conversation in the Spirit. Incarnate Christ concretely to the poor. Share with passion and joy what I experience in my ministry.

Courage to dare to reach out. Deeper discernment on new ministries.

Working in co-operation, networking with others. Support the members who are in the field of helping the poor and vulnerable.

The importance of supporting our sisters who are in direct ministry to the poor. If we truly

trust and depend on God, we will be ready to take more risks to be in solidarity with the poor.

Co-operation with others offers more opportunities.

Yes, very much. The Seminar reminds one that mission work should always protect human dignity, promote compassion and accompaniment. I also learnt that for mission to be effective today, it requires both spiritual depth and practical solidarity with people who suffer. The sharing of experiences enriched my perspective and encouraged me to approach the ministry with sensitivity and openness.

As a Leader, I shall put on the lens to see Christ in my sisters as the New Poor in their vulnerability. I feel a strong desire to encourage my sisters to apply the Dilexi te in their different ministries. Organise formative sessions for my sisters on Dilexi te. Encourage Sisters to apply their new inspirations the better to serve the mission of the Congregation.

Yes. At the heart of ministry is the proclamation of the Kingdom. Networking is very important. Need to cooperate and network with others – who share the vision. Discern the signs of the times for ministry.

It is important to break down the boundaries; do away with fear; stand steadfast in the Lord to respond appropriately to the needs of our time.

Yes, I am called to be with the new poor. My ministry to centre around prayer – community support.

Yes, getting to know committed men and women in different parts of the world. Maintenance v. mission needs to be carefully handled as prophets of today.

3. Do you have any suggestions for improvement of the Seminar?

Please add more days. May this Seminar be accessible on-line for those who are far away. Consecrated people as agents of peace in our world. Concrete actions.

The Seminar was very enriching. More time for group sharing and practical examples from different ministries – (from different countries and practical workshops that could help participants apply the ideas in their daily ministry) – would make it better.

The testimonies on Thursday were very interesting, inspiring and touched me deeply. But I felt that we didn’t have enough time to reflect and ask questions. I really wish we had had more time for that. Our small group met in the hallway. Amid the intense sharing, there was a lot of noise with people walking around, which was distracting.

Thank you for all your work and efforts! It was a great joy for me to be there. I learned a lot and gained a lot during these past few days.

Everything was quite well organized and executed: I liked that there was only one talk per day and more time for one-to-one sharing, reflection and time in the groups. Continue to deepen our experience and deepening skills in the method of Conversations in the Spirit as well as Lectio Divina.

The theme and Presenters were excellent/relevant. I would suggest, if possible, more testimonies like those we had and also for example have a poor person walk us through a typical day in his/her life. This will be powerful. Testimonies are ever inspiring! What can we do to attract more participants?

Translation arrangements and all the facilities were very good. Material could be circulated after the talks.
Yes. Could the Speakers at the Conferences speak slower? Make copies of the talks available before the Speaker leaves the Hall.
Peace building for empowering the Poor. Enabling the Poor to stand and walk.
While it is good to hear the theological underpinning of SEDOS’ themes, the powerful witness of others, such as those on our panel, inspired our passion and desire. More time for the latter would be appreciated.
For the NEMI Dining-room, could they provide sharp knives for the fruit?

I am grateful to the organizers, especially SEDOS, for planning this meaningful Seminar. I thank the Speakers and facilitators, and also all the participants for creating a welcoming and enriching atmosphere. The Seminar was spiritually and pastorally inspiring, and it strengthened my understanding of mission rooted in dependence on God and solidarity with the Poor.
Rooms could be heated when we come in the Spring. Thanks for everything. It was very enriching.
I suggest two Sessions per day for more insight. When it is cold, the house should be heated at least for those who are not used to the cold. Seminar was good. The theme and topics were appropriate according to the Church’s need today. Accommodation and food were good. I do not have any particular suggestion.

In a ministry/mission not self-sufficiency but self-sacrifice is asked for: going beyond, crossing boundaries of likes and dislikes, change of mind-set. Ultimately a paradigm shifts in our way of doing and being on mission.

This has been an inspiring time. Everything went well. Thanks.

I liked the methodology, socialization, place, silence, … etc.

As religious we could still be motivated to live something differently. We are the prophetic force of the Church. Both personal, inner change and passion could be enhanced for mission with some progressive thinkers of today. Thank you very much.

Mission as Dependence on God and Solidarity with the Marginalized

A Report on the 2026 SEDOS Residential Seminar

From May 4th to May 8th, 2026, the Centro Ad Gentes in Nemi, Italy, hosted a highly acclaimed five-day Residential Seminar organized by SEDOS. Centered on the theme, “Mission as Dependence on God and Solidarity with the Marginalized,” the event drew 50 participants representing 22 missionary congregations globally. Throughout the week, presentations and workshops converged on a profound paradigm shift: moving away from treating the poor as passive recipients of charity toward embracing them as protagonists, teachers, and the very face of God. True mission demands community brotherhood, spiritual vulnerability, and a Spirit-driven presence that walks alongside those on the margins to restore shared human dignity.
The seminar opened by reframing missiology from humanly engineered projects to divine participation. In his Welcome Address, SEDOS President Fr. Alain Mayama, CSSp, introduced hospitālitās—a mutual, transformative welcome where the missionary becomes simultaneously guest and host. By embracing docility, reliability, and fidelity, missionaries are challenged to transcend paternalistic assistance in favor of a shared life with the vulnerable, ensuring evangelization remains inseparable from social justice and Trinitarian love.

Archbishop Samuele Sangalli, Adjunct Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization, delivered the Keynote Address, titled “Missione come Dipendenza da Dio e Solidarietà con gli Emarginati.” Grounding his reflection in Nicene theology and Pope Leo XIV’s Encyclical Dilexi te, he explored mission as a reflection of God’s own kenosis (self-emptying). From this framework, Archbishop Sangalli outlined three urgent priorities: strengthening seminaries in resource-poor young Churches through quality formation, moving toward financial self-sustainability via economic stewardship, and providing psycho-spiritual support to build conflict resilience for pastoral workers enduring trauma in war-torn regions.
To enact this shift, speakers highlighted tools and charisms necessary to re-center missionary identity. Sr. Lieve Stragier, ICM, provided a roadmap for communal governance through “Conversation in the Spirit.” This prayerful discernment methodology utilizes successive rounds of personal reflection, empathetic listening, and dialogue to cultivate Spirit-led decision-making for synodal governance.

Addressing modern material, digital, or existential isolation, Fr. Dinh Anh Nhue Nguyen, OFMConv., Secretary General of the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU), highlighted how the Franciscan charism demands conversion through direct encounter. Grounded in papal messages from 2022 to 2026, this approach rejects mere philanthropy, calling all baptized Christians to offer presence, fraternity, and simplicity, delivering both material relief and the ultimate hope of Christ. Fr. Edgardo A. Guzman, CMF, theologian and Professor at Claretianum, analyzed the marginalized through a Latin American lens. Drawing insights from Dilexi te alongside liberation theologians Gustavo Gutiérrez and Jon Sobrino, he argued that the option for the poor is a deeply theological response to a God who shares in human vulnerability. Christ embodied this by establishing His “chair of redemption” among the marginalized. Grounded in early Christian practice and Roman street ministries, Fr. Guzman challenged the Church to reject the mere “spiritualization” of poverty and allow itself to be evangelized by the vulnerable.

Theoretical frameworks transitioned into concrete realities through moving missionary testimonies. Sr. Anicette Lantonkpôde, OLA, coordinator of the Migrant and Prostitution Ministry in France, detailed her harrowing yet hopeful work accompanying migrant women and trafficking victims forced into prostitution in Genoa, Italy. Her ministry restores dignity through material aid, legal advocacy, language training, and consistent pastoral presence, proving social liberation is born of radical trust in God.

Fr. Vincent Anes, CMF, representing the JPIC Ministry in India, highlighted his journey using the classic “See-Judge-Act” methodology to confront severe societal issues—from female infanticide to mental health neglect and environmental injustice. Guided by the Gospels and Dilexit Nos, he advocated for a rhythm balancing contemplative prayer with prophetic, structural action.

Sr. Paola Vizzotto, PIME, serving in Prison Ministry in Italy, brought participants inside Rome's Rebibbia Femminile prison. Exposing how overcrowding and neglect cause facilities to function as “social dumping grounds,” she called for a “Church that enters,” championing non-judgmental listening and restorative justice. Supplementing these accounts, Fr. Massimo Vedova, FMC, from the Street Children Ministry in Italy, shared firsthand experiences working with street youth, underscoring the vital need for specialized, compassionate street ministries in modern urban centers.

A synthesis of multilingual discussions revealed a unified vision regarding the "New Poor." The English-speaking groups focused on mission as an incarnational, prayer-grounded encounter where deep listening dissolves the boundaries between server and served into a shared "we." The French-speaking groups centered on missionary credibility, asserting that fraternity must first be lived authentically within religious communities while rejecting a manager-mindset focused purely on funding. Meanwhile, the Spanish-speaking groups focused on a conversion away from pastoral triumphalism, championing the poor as a living sacrament of Jesus and the true protagonists of evangelization who must be rowed alongside in the same synodal boat.

The seminar concluded with reflections from Fr. Alain Mayama, CSSp. In his Synthesis, he reinforced the call to hospitālitās and a boundary-breaking reciprocity where the poor become our teachers. In his Closing Address, Fr. Mayama reminded the assembly that because God sustains all mission, the Church must remain in total dependence on Him. He noted that the “Church of the poor” is a living, often anonymous reality demanding solid psycho-spiritual formation, collaborative networking, and deep contemplative prayer to sustain humble service amid structural suffering.

Ultimately, the 2026 seminar invited a profound rediscovery of the spiritual heart of the apostolate. Mission is a radical act of trust and an acknowledgement of our fundamental dependence on God’s grace. From this posture of humility, the global Church is called into authentic solidarity with those at the peripheries. By shifting from “doing for” to “being with,” missionaries align their lives with the Gospel’s preferential option for the poor, discovering how surrendering institutional self-sufficiency empowers them to become true witnesses of hope, dignity, and justice.

Dr. John Paul Herman, SVD

Director of SEDOS