On Saturday, April 20, 2024, we experienced a significant moment of synodality at the community of La Maddalena in Rome as an expression of our common desire to witness to the charism and spirituality.

Fr. Pedro Tramontin, the Superior General of the Camillians, took initiative for the gathering of the Superior Generals and General Councilors of the four religious institutes of the Camillian Charismatic Family: Camillians, Ministers of the Sick of St. Camillus, Daughters of St. Camillus, and Handmaids of the Incarnation. Except Mother Lurdes Calderon Flores, Superior General of the Handmaids of the Incarnation, who was absent due to pastoral visit in Latin America, all Superior Generals were present leading their respective councils. Sister Delina, the Vicar General, led the delegation of the Handmaids.

The meeting was primarily conceived as a moment of mutual knowledge, inspired by the great gathering celebrated in 2019, the implementation of which was significantly slowed down by the COVID-19 pandemic. We enthusiastically resumed the journey of fraternity within the same Camillian charismatic family.

During the gathering, we addressed some matters of common interest such as charismatic formation initiatives, the jubilee year of the conversion of St. Camillus 1575-2025, the concretization of the Camillian study center, etc. Interesting ideas emerged from the discussions to give more concreteness to our common identity as children of St. Camillus de Lellis. Ad hoc committees are already working to develop concrete proposals to be implemented. The next meeting is scheduled for August 31, 2024, at the general house of the Sisters Ministers of the Sick of St. Camillus.

Before the fraternal lunch that concluded the day, together with the La Maddalena community, we experienced an intense moment of spiritual communion during the prayer of the Sext Hour in the Cubiculum, where St. Camillus ascended to heaven, a place that keeps alive the relic of St. Camillus’ heart and his spiritual legacy.