Time and tide wait for no man - This is certainly true for the Salesian Sisters. It is three years since they held their XXII Chapter, with the mandate to revive the charismatic identity as a prophecy to the world, a call for all the FMA to be converted to love and express love, as a community in the educative mission. No small requirement, as can be easily imagined.

Now after three years we Sisters were invited to see what steps we have taken, what resistances and struggles we have met as we tried in our provinces and European conferences to put flesh on this rather immense challenge. About one hundred and twenty Sisters and laity met from January 6th- 12th in a beautiful location, in a conference centre above Lake Castelgandolfo, near the town on Arricia. Also present was Mother Yvonne, Mother General, and several sisters from the General Council. For the first time in one of these evaluations, all the provinces of Europe met together to complete the task. This alone was an enrichment, as was the presence of twenty seven lay collaborators. Each day Mother Yvonne gave an inspiring talk taking points from the last General Chapter using her unique position of having shared the whole journey with the various provincials present. A review of the steps taken in the three conferences, the effectiveness of these and the problems met in the implementation of ways to rekindle our charismatic identity took up most of the time. Without going into details it is absolutely truthful to say that the sharing was deep, honest and open. Finally there was also a process to see what suggestions could be put forward for the forthcoming Chapter. Amazingly there was a great consensus among the delegates and when the final theme was presented there was no additional comment - a truly amazing circumstance. There was much fun and laughter as well as serious soul searching. It would be true to say that those who were there left inspired and enlightened.