The Eighth Latin American and Caribbean Seminary of the Family of St. Joseph

Jan. 5–10, 2025 in Cochabamba, Bolivia, SA

By S. Gloria Cruz Espinosa, CSJ

Every five years (since 1996), Sisters representing the Sisters of St. Joseph in the Latin America and Caribbean countries, meet to study and develop educational projects that will give sustainability in the work the religious and their Partners in Mission. Each country works with families, parishes, social services, care givers, education, and others they encounter as they live out their CSJ mission in daily life.

The theme this year was “How to be a Prophetic Mystic, According to the Trinitarian Dynamism at this Synodal Time in Our Church Today.”

Eighty-three Sisters and 37 Associates (men and women representing 11 countries) shared their experiences as Missionaries. They were from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, the United States, Italy, and India. Some were teachers, journalists, care givers, lawyers, Parishioners, and social workers, and other workers whom identify with the CSJ’s mission in each country.

The main topics were from today’s reality, such as environment and media, imbalance climate changes; defense of democracy, economy, and culture; and population, mysticism, and prophetic witness at synodal times.

Many of the Congregations present are now preparing for Chapter. The Associates play a very important part in the lives of their communities. I was impressed with the Argentinian Sisters in Uruguay, whose Associates took over their big school there. They run the school as if the Sisters were still there. The Associates and lay people all shared that many young people are getting involved in the day-to-day functioning of the school.

We had the privilege to have with us a lay woman, Lic. Erika Aldunate, a theologian from Bolivia, who participated in the Synod in Rome. She shared with us her experience there. She feels that Latin America has a very important role to play in the future of our church and that every member of the St. Joseph community should activate their Trinitarian Love by which we were created by God from the very beginning. This should start with a very personal decision on our part, and we should let it spread to the rest of the St. Joseph family throughout our mission and work. We need to continue identifying with the needs of the global church, as we continue to live the gospel and following Jesus.

This was a very enriching experience of CSJs sharing at all levels. Deep prayer, different cultural encounters, and sharing of our hearts. Even though we spoke five languages (Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, and Italian), we are empowered by the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Holy Spirit, and continue to be true agents of change for the benefit of our communities rooted in father and love of the dear neighbor whom we continue to serve in this part of the world. We all spoke the language of love.

Many of us left with the realization that to be a Josephite is more than a name; it is a form of life that gives testimony of mercy and love of God in a world that needs so much hope and faith to continue in our loving service to all in need.

The eighth seminary ended with the election of the Sisters who will represent each of the sixth regions where the CSJ mission in Latin America and the Caribbean are. This group is responsible for keeping everyone informed and connected, so we know what goes on in each one of our missions and countries. The ninth seminary will be in 2030.