"The congregational chapter is a collegial assembly and the highest authority within the congregation. Representtaive of the congregation, it is a sign of unity and an expression of the participation and interest of all the members in the progress of our mission. It is a spiritual event, a time of corporate reflection and conversion. By promoting renewal in the spirit of our charism, the chapter safeguards our heritage and is a source of life and inspiration for the entire congregation. "
(Constitutions, 16- Approved by CICLSAL, August 19, 2009)
The Congregational Chapter was previously referred to as General Chapter.
After the 2003 General Chapter where delegates approved the revision of Article 1, the congregation worked on the integration of the Constitutions of the apostolic sisters and the Constitutions of the contemplative sisters. The process was participated in by sisters world wide and the Constitutions Committee led the drafting of the Integrated Constitutions.
In 2008, during the Intercontinental Assemblies (ICAs) and the Contemplative Inter Continental Assembly (CICA), besides the term General Chapter was changed to Congregational Chapter, new vocabularies were introduced to the congregation: Superior General referred to as Congregational Leader; General Council, as Congregational Leadership Team; General Secretary to Congregational Secretary and General Treasurer to Congregational Treasurer.
The delegates to the 2009 Congregational Chapter voted for the approval of the Integrated Constitutions, which later was submitted to the Congregation for Institute of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life --CICLSAL, at the Vatican. CICLSAL approved it on August 19, feast of St. John Eudes.)
The Journey of Unifcation of Our Lady of Charity and Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, started in 2006, and consultation was done in provinces, districts and sectors by the Congregational Leadership Team, and continued with the Process Planning Committee.
On June 27, 2014, the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, the journey concluded with Unification and ritual of unification were held in the different units. By the 30th Congregational Chapter in 2015, and the first after unification, the delegates approved the revision of the Prologue to the Constitutions.
Let us now look at the history of the General/Congregational Chapters begininng with first General Chapter during the time of Mother Foundress, St. Mary Euphrasia.
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1837 May 11 |
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October 8, 1868 |
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Second election of Sr. M. Marine Verger as third Superior General |
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June 3 1911 May 12, 1921
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May 15 1940 |
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June June 16, 1985 July 1, 1991 1997 |
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2003 |
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2021 |