From 15 February 2026 to 2 March 2026, the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles are gathered in Rome for their Plenary Council; a significant time of discernment, communion, and renewal in the life of the Congregation.

A Plenary Council is far more than a formal gathering; it is a sacred moment in which the members collectively attune themselves to the guidance of the Holy Spirit, reflect upon the realities of mission in the contemporary world, and deliberate upon the paths that God calls them to follow. For a missionary congregation deeply rooted in apostolic zeal and service, such a Council shapes not only their internal life but also their witness within the Church and among the communities to which they are sent.

The Opening Eucharist, celebrated this evening and presided over by Fr François Hervé Du Penhoat, our Superior General, provided a spiritual framework for the days ahead. In his homily, he emphasized that each participant arrives at a Plenary Council carrying responsibilities, convictions, and sometimes tensions, yet what is most essential is the grace that emerges when human exchange meets the action of the Holy Spirit:”When we arrive at a plenary council, we come with the weight of our responsibilities… but the most important thing is this mixture that occurs between our discussions and the action of the Holy Spirit… We leave… feeling more open to the dimension of the whole congregation and God’s plan.“

Reflecting on the Gospel, he invited the Sisters to contemplate the attitude of Christ, marked by patience, endurance, and fidelity; virtues essential for missionary life. He reminded them that perseverance in trials strengthens faith and leads to spiritual maturity, encouraging them to move forward with confidence and firmness even amid uncertainties.

Drawing upon the history of the Congregation, Fr François Hervé Du Penhoat also encouraged the Sisters to remain rooted in the witnesses of earlier generations: the pioneers who left everything in trust, and those who later embraced inculturation and closeness to the poor; while responding courageously to the present challenges of mission in a rapidly changing world. He also pointed to the enduring presence of missionary congregations and the growth of local Churches as signs of God’s faithfulness and as a source of hope for the future.

With these words, the Opening Eucharist entrusted the work of the Council to God’s providence and situated it within the living tradition of the Congregation. As the Sisters continue this time of discernment, we remain united with them in prayer and spiritual solidarity.

This significant moment in the life of their congregational also resonates with our own journey, as the SMA will likewise, in the coming months, hold the first Plenary Council of this new mandate.
Thus, we share in a common movement of reflection and hope, which strengthens our communion with the Sisters gathered in Rome.

During these days, we accompany the Sisters with gratitude for their generous commitment to evangelization, interculturality, and service to the most vulnerable. Though many of us are physically distant, we are invited to unite ourselves to their efforts through prayer, asking that the Holy Spirit grant wisdom, clarity, and joy in their deliberations.

May this Council strengthen their communion, deepen their fidelity to the Gospel and to the charism entrusted to the Congregation, and may each participant be blessed with serenity of heart and clarity of vision. In the words of Fr François Hervé Du Penhoat, prayed at the Opening Eucharist, “May [this] Plenary Council help [them] to set milestones for the years to come, but above all, may it help [them] to [grow] in a deep trust in God and in His plan.”
May Mary, Our Lady of Apostles, accompany them tenderly, and may the Holy Spirit guide every conversation and decision.

Brice Ulrich AFFERI