Sister Communicators from across the globe have converged in Rome for the celebration of the Jubilee of Communications under the theme: “Weaving Communion through Communication. Global Jubilee Conference of Religious Sisters”.
The January 23, 2025 grand event which commenced with the gathering of the Sisters in front of the St Anna gate, from where they were led to the Vatican Apostolic Library for the day’s activities, featured various speeches, panel discussions, among other activities.
Dr. Paulo Ruffini, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, in his opening remarks welcomed all the participants from every corner of the world to the conference.
Ms. Linda Hilton, Chair of Conrad N. Hilton Foundation Board and Co- sponsor of the Sister Communicators Project, in the same vein, extended a hand of welcome to the Sisters, as she assured them of their unswerving
support.
Based on the panel discussion on “Sisters communicating communion with the marginalized,” moderated by Sr.
Alessandra Smerilli, FMA, Secretary of the Dicastery for promoting Integral Human Development, some sisters shared their stories on how they communicated compassion, understanding and love in deeds and acts that have given people, especially women and children, a life and dignity in society.
Others shared how some young women were helped to rebuild their shattered lives, care of persons with disabilities, bringing relief and release to human trafficking victims, among others; all of which are forms of communicating the Gospel Message.
Sister Communicators were urged to prioritize communication, and as believers, they can spread the gospel message only through communion with one another. “We need to love, to live together, work together, and create new ways of communicating”. Also, communication must be simple and clear enough for better comprehension.
Among the Sisters on the panel were Sr Abby Avelino, MM, International Coordinator of “Talitha Kum”, Sr. Veronica Donatello, SFA, Responsible for the National Service for the Pastoral Care of Persons with Disabilities of the Italian Bishop’s Conference. Others were Sr. Rosemary Nyrumbe, SHS, Founder of Saint Monica’s Girls Tailoring Center, Uganda, and Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande.
Various Sisters who were into different fields of Communication like filmmaking, cinematography, photography, videography, at different times during the second session underscored the vastness and inevitability of communication in everyday life.
“Communication is broad, we can tell our stories in many forms and the gospel message should and must always be our focus in a world of politics and other vices. Tell stories that depict people’s lives and stories that can affect lives,” observed one of the speakers, adding that Sister Communicators should engage in restoring lives and healing brokenness through communication.
It was also noted that Communication does not just involve taking pictures, videos and journaling but engaging with people in bringing compassion and love,” underlined one of the speakers, adding that communicators can inspire people through songs, films, in the teaching and nursing apostolates among others.
“We as Communicators are called to do more and when we do more, we will be able to identify what more is there to do around us”.
Sisters were charged to make Communication more practical; from storytelling to film making; Communication can be taught in the classrooms with the learners being helped to act practical life experiences.
They were also encouraged to take advantage of the trust and credibility accorded them as ‘moral beings’ to tell and spread stories of love and compassion to people around them.
Sister Communicators were further charged to always listen to the signs of the time and place so as to be attuned with current trends. They must also practice honesty in their attempt to spread the gospel message through communication. They are to be creative and innovative, as much as possible, and not just get carried away by artificial intelligence.
Speakers for this session were, Sr Paola Moggi, an Italian Comboni missionary, Sr Rose Pacatte, FSP, Media Literacy Education Specialist, Sr Lismy Parayil Chandy, CMC, a trailblazing filmmaker and Soli Salgado, an editor of Global Sisters Report.
As part of activities to mark the Jubilee of Communication, Sister Communicators prior to the celebration had the opportunity to tour the Vatican Media, the Dycastery for Communication, St. Peter’s Square among other historical places.
By Sr. Emmanuella Dakurah, HHCJ (Sister Communicator,Rome)
