| The inter-congregational character of Solidarity is one of its distinctive marks. I am here now in the community of STTC for over five years, and it is still something that surprises and touches me. It is not an aspiration but a lived reality on the ground.
How would you know we are from different congregations or institutes? The variety of emblems might be picked up by the sharp-eyed (badges, medals, crosses). The dress varies – from nondescript, badly-matched to perfect Carmelite habit and everything in between. Stay a few days and you might notice small differences in how we lead the morning and evening prayer – I think everyone here has their own version of ‘O God come to our aid’ but that is no issue at all, either to the Lord or to ourselves! One of us takes up as local co-ordinator and though we each come with our own understanding of the role, we seem to muddle through well enough. Somehow we realize that the relationships among us, the human care and concern, and the zeal for the mission of the college – the common purpose – matter above all else. It has given me the experience of a much wider tent – with a lot more air circulating, and much coming and going – and where somehow the small things (for me) are taking up less space. One of the things I treasure from this intercongregational experience is the sharing of charism. There are many ‘founders’ days’ to mark as the founder of one is embraced as the founder of all! It was here in Yambio, despite long years as a teacher, that I first had broken open for me the charism of John Baptist de la Salle, the patron saint of teachers. What an enrichment, to be introduced to La Salle by Brothers who have made his mission their own, body and soul. So too, I have learned from the Apostolics of the Heart of Jesus something new and very precious about living this devotion. I could continue with a long list, a very long list. I have learned from each member it has been my privilege to share this mission with, not just about themselves, Brothers and Sisters, but about the gift of their congregation to Solidarity, to the church and society. My own Holy Faith congregation that I considered to be small and stand-alone (true, in many respects), has, I know, been brightened up by flashes of this new life, and I trust that some sparks of Holy Faith have lit up in other congregations also. Above all, the small lights we bring (the bruised reed, the smoldering wick) are beacons of hope to the good people of South Sudan, the only reason we are here, and here together. The renewal of vows that each makes – on a different day, as part of Mass, during morning or evening prayer, standing, kneeling or sitting – using their own vow formula, in their own way, with the members to witness, is a special moment I think for all of us. Saying the words of your Profession day in this new context is humbling. On the 15 th August each year, I, Jacinta Prunty, confirm my vows in the chapel of STTC ‘as a Sister of the Holy Faith, here in this community of Solidarity’… ending with the invocation, ‘I ask you, my God, through the intercession of Mary, to strengthen me to live out fully the commitment that I make to you this day, in this religious community of Solidarity with South Sudan’…. Amen. Sr Jacinta Prunty, hfs |
Date Published:19 January 2026 Author:Sr Jacinta Prunty, hfs
Article Tags: South Sudan, Blog, Solidarity |
