We are together above all for the Eucharistic celebration that unifies us and – accompanied through texts, hymns, liturgical songs, psalms in all languages represented here – is most impressive.

Chaplain Fr. Weber daily brings in thoughts/reflections to the Bible-passages of the day – not during the Eucharistic celebration, but at the beginning of the work in the chapter-hall, so that all can share this through the simultaneous translation. This is concluded with meditative music and releases us thus spiritually strengthened into the topic for the day.

Some of the participants have birthday or feast-day during the time of the chapter; they get a serenade sung – with cultural diversity - before beginning with the topic of the day.

From the place of origin, the main languages of the congregation are French and German.

India speaks English, Angola Portuguese and Argentine Spanish. Further there is Slovakia with its language. Cameroon speaks French.

Of course, all sisters of the general council are ex officio members of the chapter; they represent all sisters and are currently from our 5 provinces.

The different provinces and delegations (the latter are not a province due to their smaller number in the respective country) send delegates and office-bearers to the general chapter according to the number of their sisters. Many of the sisters present know each other from previous chapters, from meetings at council level or through a common path walked in the past. One is delighted about the reunion.

Some, mostly younger sisters, are for the first time in the general chapter and one gets to know each other. During meals in the dining hall where almost always one comes to sitting down at a different table in a new formation, during breaks, evenings or otherwise one can get into conversation with each other, communication takes place as best it can be; often with the help of fellow sisters who translate, one comes to know and sense the situation/tasks of the fellow sisters in their community and in their country, their ideas, goals, concerns and joys. It is a place where people are very much alive, interested, diverse and cheerful – we feel ourselves in deep communion because we have a common reliable basis/foundation in the charism of our congregation.

This community of diversity makes visible an important aspect of our congregation that plays a central role in our Rule of life: Unity in diversity.