Daughters of St. Anne Hold Renewal Seminar to Reignite Prophetic Mission and Charism

Ranchi, July 21, 2025: The Daughters of St. Anne (DSA), Ranchi, gathered at St. Anne’s Generalate in Ranchi from July 18 to 20, 2025, for a three-day spiritual renewal seminar titled “Rekindling the Fire: Daughters of St. Anne’s Call to Prophetic Renewal.” The seminar brought together 140 religious sisters and marked a pivotal moment in the congregation’s 128-year journey, addressing the urgent need to step out of comfort zones and embrace their foundational charism with renewed vigour.

The General Superior and her councillors, four provincials with their respective councillors, community superiors, educational principals, healthcare workers, social workers, and coordinators from various commissions participated. The diverse representation reflected the congregation’s multifaceted ministry and embodied synodal principles of inclusive discernment promoted by Pope Francis.

Fr. Valerian Lobo, Regional Deputy Secretary of JHHAN-RBC and Director for Pastoral Works of the Diocese of Jamshedpur, animated the sessions. His pastoral experience and deep understanding of consecrated life provided essential guidance for this renewal process. His approach aligned with synodal pathways outlined in recent Church documents, fostering authentic dialogue, mutual listening, and communal discernment.

The seminar’s methodology followed three essential synodal movements. First, participants conducted an honest self-assessment, confronting how the congregation may have drifted from its original vision. They addressed issues such as materialism, loss of prophetic voice, and weakened missionary zeal. Second, through biblical reflection, Church document study, and shared prayer, the sisters discerned how to authentically live their evangelical counsels in today’s context. Third, they made concrete commitments to spiritual practices, leadership formation, and ministries addressing contemporary challenges, including environmental crisis, digital evangelisation, and women's empowerment.

The figure of Mother Mary Bernadette Prasad Kispotta, the congregation’s foundress, remained central to the renewal. As the first tribal woman to establish a religious congregation in North India, she rooted her spirituality in indigenous culture. Her approach was lived, communal, and practical—resonating with today’s emphasis on valuing diverse cultural expressions of faith. Her legacy reflected a Church that actively reaches out to the poor and marginalised. Her words, “If they keep themselves upright, holy and worthy of the great spiritual life then I will think about it,” underscored a vision of holiness grounded in integrity and dignity.

Recognising that the congregation felt “suffocated in comfort zones,” the leadership responded with a timely intervention that mirrored the prophetic spirit embodied by their foundress. The emphasis on returning to the congregation’s unique charism—rooted in tribal wisdom and Gospel truth—strengthened their resolve.

The seminar rekindled the fire of their founding vision, the sisters now carry forward a mission anchored in Easter faith and the enduring presence of the Lord.

By Sr. Anupa Kujur

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