Ignatian apostolic sisters
Our apostolate: to make Christ known and loved by awakening and deepening the faith. Our apostolic service is directed towards people who are looking for meaning in their lives or who are searching for God without knowing it, towards people who want to walk in their Christian life or discern their vocation. This apostolate of spiritual accompaniment is lived in our spiritual centres, in the training we provide outside, in the chaplaincies, groups, movements and parishes where we intervene. But we also bear witness to the presence of Christ where we live: at the university when we are studying, in the heart of the cities where our communities are located, in our spiritual centres and with anyone who knocks on our door. And community life and prayer are for us the source of our mission.
Our apostolate: to make Christ known and loved by awakening and deepening the faith. Our apostolic service is directed towards people who are looking for meaning in their lives or who are searching for God without knowing it, towards people who want to walk in their Christian life or discern their vocation. This apostolate of spiritual accompaniment is lived in our spiritual centres, in the training we provide outside, in the chaplaincies, groups, movements and parishes where we intervene. But we also bear witness to the presence of Christ where we live: at the university when we are studying, in the heart of the cities where our communities are located, in our spiritual centres and with anyone who knocks on our door. And community life and prayer are for us the source of our mission.
« In discovering the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, our founders recognised them as a privileged means of “making Jesus Christ known and loved”. Through the Exercises, they introduced the Congregation into the Ignatian spirituality which marks many aspects of our life. The Exercises were, from the very first days, an essential element of our religious formation and apostolic service. They prepare us to respond to the ever-renewed calls of the Lord, to love and embrace what Jesus Christ himself loved and embraced, to work with Him in the building up of His Kingdom. »
Constitution of the Cenacle Sisters
« In discovering the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, our founders recognised them as a privileged means of “making Jesus Christ known and loved”. Through the Exercises, they introduced the Congregation into the Ignatian spirituality which marks many aspects of our life. The Exercises were, from the very first days, an essential element of our religious formation and apostolic service. They prepare us to respond to the ever-renewed calls of the Lord, to love and embrace what Jesus Christ himself loved and embraced, to work with Him in the building up of His Kingdom. »
Constitution of the Cenacle Sisters
He is the founder of the Jesuits. During a long convalescence due to a war wound, he had an unexpected experience of conversion to Christ. In the years that followed, little by little, Ignatius deepened his discovery of discernment and learned to identify the way God was leading him. His genius was that he was able to use his own experience to help others: his Spiritual Exercises can thus help anyone who wishes to seek and find God in his life and decide for Christ.
Like other women’s congregations, the Congregation of the Cenacle Sisters, from its foundation, has been committed to Ignatian spirituality. Thus, during our formation, we receive the Spiritual Exercises and we learn to accompany and give retreats according to this movement.
He is the founder of the Jesuits. During a long convalescence due to a war wound, he had an unexpected experience of conversion to Christ. In the years that followed, little by little, Ignatius deepened his discovery of discernment and learned to identify the way God was leading him. His genius was that he was able to use his own experience to help others: his Spiritual Exercises can thus help anyone who wishes to seek and find God in his life and decide for Christ.
Like other women’s congregations, the Congregation of the Cenacle Sisters, from its foundation, has been committed to Ignatian spirituality. Thus, during our formation, we receive the Spiritual Exercises and we learn to accompany and give retreats according to this movement.
This year 2021 marks the 500th anniversary since the start of St Ignatius of Loyola's spiritual journey. Here is a film about his story, made by The Jesuits of the European Low Countries.
The wearing of civilian clothes raises many questions. Does a “real sister” have the right not to wear the habit? We all wear the cross of the Congregation, but it is true that in Europe we do not have the habit of a nun. But all of us realise that the neutral way in which we dress allows us to go towards the other or simply to let him come towards us. Even if, some mornings, it is difficult to decide how to dress!
The wearing of civilian clothes raises many questions. Does a “real sister” have the right not to wear the habit? We all wear the cross of the Congregation, but it is true that in Europe we do not have the habit of a nun. But all of us realise that the neutral way in which we dress allows us to go towards the other or simply to let him come towards us. Even if, some mornings, it is difficult to decide how to dress!
