On May 1, 2026, the Sisters of the Incarnate Word (SVI) began a two-day workshop of enlightenment to prepare for their first Pre-chapter, facilitated by Sr. Judith Magbity, HHCJ, Provincial Superior of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus (HHCJ), Ghana Province.
The workshop was held at the St. James Academy school in the Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, Bono Region of Ghana, under the theme: “Rooted in Christ, Renewed in Community, Sent for Mission.”
This theme was inspired by the Gospel of John 15:4: “Abide in me as I abide in you.”
Sr. Joyce Owusuaa, SVI, the Superior of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, opened the Workshop by extending a warm welcome to the Sisters and the Facilitator, setting the stage for the presentation.
The Facilitator began the Workshop with the invocation of the Holy Spirit through a song, emphasising that the center of every success story of any Religious Institute is from God.
Sr. Magbity encouraged the Sisters to feel free to stop her at any point during her presentation to ask questions or seek clarification, stating that she was flexible regarding any direction the Holy Spirit would lead them in the discussion.
She explained that a Chapter is the highest formal Assembly for a Religious order and a time for discernment and spiritual exercise.
During a Chapter, the will of God is sought with an inner conviction that the outcome is from God.
She noted that the Congregation must prepare spiritually to accept God’s will before a Chapter.
The Sisters were reminded that they are missionaries in spirit, even though they are currently situated only in the Sunyani Diocese, as they are destined to grow beyond it.
Sr. Magbity mentioned that some Congregations hold Chapters at the Provincial level every three or four years, depending on the specific Congregation’s needs, but at the General level, it is typically every six years for most Congregations.
Furthermore, Sr. Magbity, informed the SVI Sisters that a Chapter is meant to uphold the charism of the Congregation.
She stated that anyone who tries to undermine it does not belong, and such individuals should be helped to find their place, if they cannot engage constructively.
She encouraged the Sisters to work diligently to safeguard their charism.
She further elaborated that elections are part of General Chapters.
However, she cautioned the Sisters to desist from actions which are against their Constitution and Directory during a General Chapter and encouraged them to carefully study their Constitution and comply with the Chapter procedure as indicated.
This workshop aims to assist the Sisters of the Incarnate Word in deciding how best they can conduct their Chapter in the future and to encourage them to own and safeguard their charism.
Moreover, she listed some of the key activities that occur in a Chapter, namely: discerning God’s will for the Institute, making important decisions to safeguard the founding charism, and electing leadership in the case of a General Chapter.
Sr. Magbity admonished the Sisters to refrain from shirking leadership roles and to accept every decision the Congregation makes regarding any of them.
She reiterated that leadership in religious life should embody servant leadership rather than an autocratic approach.
Sr. Magbity strongly emphasised that about 90% of the chapter’s activities involve prayer to prepare the minds of the Sisters in discerning the will of God.
The Sisters were encouraged to always refer to canon law in conjunction with the Constitution of the Congregation.
In choosing a theme for a Chapter, the HHCJ Provincial Superior advised the SVI Sisters to consider emerging issues in their Congregation and in the Church.
She emphasised that the Sisters should learn the importance of practicing the virtues of deep listening, humility, hope, unity and communion before embarking on a Chapter.
She encouraged the Sisters to develop the practice of caring for their Superiors as she concluded her presentation for the first day of the two-day workshop.
By Sr. Esther Kutie, SVI (Catholic Sister Communicators Network, Ghana – CASCON-GH)
