Rome (Italy). From 4 to 6 April 2024, the IX Meeting of the Commission of Institutions of Higher Studies (ISS-FMA) was held in Rome, at the Generalate of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, on the theme: ” ISS-FMA as the heart of social responsibility: commitment to people and the planet, promoting and developing a culture of quality and peace.”
The meeting was coordinated by the General Councilor, Sister Runita Borja, and the ISS-FMA Referent, Sister Ivone Goulart Lopes, with the presence of all the Sector members. The participants – FMA and a layman – from 9 countries, were representatives of the institutions of Africa, America, Asia, and Europe.
The objectives were: to share the steps taken about the processes of the ISS-FMA Strategic Planning 2023-2027; to explore new scenarios of the future and to consider the opportunities they offer to develop innovative thinking and actions in the light of the Vision, of the ISS-FMA Mission and Values; consider the new Church documents, as a response to the Global Educational Pact; prepare the IV Meeting of ISS-FMA Leaders in the Philippines in 2026.
The Superior General of the FMA Institute, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, welcomed the participants, underlining the worldwide character of the Charism at the educational level, which is expressed in this case, through the Institutions of Higher Studies, with the promotion of the cultural and professional preparation of young people.
She also recalled the significance of the current year, with the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco’s dream, which revives his educational passion and commitment to the formation of young people around the world. She then thanked them for their passion, commitment, seriousness, and preparation, emphasizing the importance of understanding young people and contemporary challenges as a divine mandate for present and future education. She concluded by defining daily commitment to education as an act of hope in the future and of witness for the whole world.
Sister Runita Borja thanked the members present and their Provinces for their availability and offered an Easter thought as a wish for the future: “The Risen Jesus always opens the way of communion, which is essential for a group like ours in this intercontinental commission. The goal is to advance with listening, openness, and appreciation of differences, with a look at the upcoming IV World Meeting in 2026, in the Philippines.”
The Vicar of the Generalate, Sister Virginia Villa, then welcomed the group, briefly presenting the Host Community as ‘unique’, because it embraces four continents and expresses a great diversity, united by the common mission to support the Charism and the development of the Institute, while promoting the creativity of the Sisters with fidelity. She invited everyone to feel part of this ‘home’.
During the meeting, some themes were addressed: “Identity of the ISS-FMA Commission” and “Recognizing the steps taken – memory of the journey”, presented by Sister Runita and Sister Ivone.
In the ISS-FMA Strategic Planning (2023-2026) there are four action guidelines. The Commission has worked on these, presenting what has been done at the core level. In Guideline 1 – Networking: exchanges between the respective students and teachers, Sister Ivone described the steps of the Education and Culture Research Group. She spoke about the Research Circles and presented the ISS-FMA website (https://www.iss-fma.com/).
Regarding Guideline 2 – Pastoral: a reflection was made in many voices on young people. Sister Sarah Garcia (IIMA – UN) presented the theme: “Human rights education in Institutes of higher education: Paths for the empowerment of young people”. Sister Annecie Audate (VIDES) spoke of “VIDES in the ISS-FMA – How our ISS-FMA can be a space for youth volunteering.” Sister Martha Seïde (representative of the OIEC) spoke of the ‘Youth Council’. Sister Ivone Goulart, spoke of the “UNISERVITATE” and Sister Adair Sberga, of the “University of Sense”.
In Guideline 3 – Formation, Sister Carmen Villora and Ruben Iduriaga of Don Bosco University Center (CES) in Madrid, Spain, presented the proposal for online Charismatic Formation. Sister Regina Mary Rathinaswamy (Auxilium Autonomous – Vellore) spoke on the Moumou proposal of Asia and Africa (in English), hoping that it can agree with other Countries, also for the exchange of studies.
In Guideline 4 – Laudato Si’- some activities carried out in the nodes were presented. Sister Ivone shared the summary of the answers of the questionnaire on Laudato Si’ and the Educational Pact.
The ISS-FMA International Leaders’ Conference, which will be held in Calamba City, Philippines, from 9 to 13 March 2026, has been prepared and the theme chosen: “Empowerment of young people for a culture of life and hope”.
The Commission participated in the daily Eucharistic Celebration with the Generalate Community, while the work and other moments of prayer were animated by the Sisters of the Sector, with translations into the languages when necessary. The group had the opportunity to visit the Charism Exhibit and the Marian Room, present in the House. One of the evenings was spent in fraternity, with a joyful recreation, playing ‘bingo’ together.
The Good Nights were given in part by the Vicar General, Sister María del Rosario García, who spoke about the experiences of the Inter-Sector Seminars “For a generative animation” already realized, with the focus on Authority as service, Synodality as reciprocity and integration of diversity, and Generativity as care, ecological spirituality, and dialogue. The Secretary General, Sister Maria Luisa Nicastro, in her Good Night, presented the figure of Mother Caterina Daghero, Successor of Mother Mazzarello, at the head of the Institute from 1881 to 1924, a long period of significant growth and global development, in which she promoted the opening of numerous educational institutions around the world and supported the importance of the oratory as a major work.
On 6 April, Sister Runita concluded the meeting, underlining the importance of alliances and networks in the FMA Higher Studies Institutions, which promote education as an act of hope. She also highlighted how the initiatives presented show the collaborative work, formation, pastoral care, and attention to Laudato Si’, strengthening confidence in the Global Educational Pact, with a focus on alliances within the educational communities and the surrounding territory. Finally, she expressed the certainty that this Meeting reveals a strengthening of the idea of a “global network” that sows hope in young people, extending to families and communities.
Sister Adair Sberga led the sending prayer, which was also attended by the General Councilors in Rome, exhorting everyone to look to the Lord to receive Light. They praised the Lord together for the possibility of bringing God’s Word and love to so many young people through education.
“Today more than ever, we cannot think of an educational journey without taking into account the context in which we are called to live. It is, therefore, only starting from this reality, from these challenges, that we can formulate together with young people the most appropriate paths…”. (LOME n. 14)
Photos: Flickr FMA
