Tuesday, August 11
The celebration of LCWR’s 70th anniversary began with a beautiful sense of connection, joy, and anticipation. Although we gathered in two adjacent ballrooms, “Charism” and “Spirit/Call,” technology connected the spaces so seamlessly that it felt as though we were all gathered in one room, weaving our charisms together and sharing in one Spirit and one call. Around us, nearly 180 tables filled the two spaces, each prepared to welcome six participants into conversation. From the very beginning, the setting itself reflected the heart of our gathering, many voices, many experiences, and many charisms coming together for a shared journey.
The opening ritual invited us into the deeper meaning of these days. We began with the Buddhist monks’ recent Walk for Peace, accompanied by a simple refrain that became part of our own prayer. The acknowledgment of the land grounded us in gratitude and awareness of the sacred place where we gather, while the sound of drums called us into silence, presence, and attentiveness. We then welcomed the conferences and organizations participating in this 70th anniversary celebration. One by one, representatives walked toward the stage carrying symbols of their communities and organizations, placing them within the sacred environment prepared in each ballroom. As each symbol was added, the space became a visible expression of the richness and diversity gathered here, different communities and traditions, each bringing its own story, gifts, and charism to this shared celebration.
And this is only the beginning. Today opened the door to a journey that we will continue tomorrow through the synodal process, listening deeply, sharing honestly, and discerning together what the Spirit may be calling forth among us. There is an energy in the gathering, a sense that we are not simply celebrating 70 years of history, but stepping together into what comes next. We look forward with excitement and hope to tomorrow, ready to listen, encounter one another, and continue this synodal journey together.
