The General Chapter of the Sisters of the Divine Saviour has arrived at the task of elections in its programme.The previous days were dedicated to intense spiritual discernment, in which the capitulars were accompanied by the two moderators.
On Saturday, 10 August, the chapter's programme began with Lauds, as always in an international spirit. At the end of this, the sisters sang the hymn "Veni creator spiritus", the invocation to the Holy Spirit, together with the sisters of the motherhouse community in Oberbronn. Then the Capitulars entered thechapter hall to begin the actual election. The Archbishop of Strasbourg appointed Canon Didier Dehan,who is responsible for the religious institutes in the diocese,to lead the election of the Superior General.
For the first time in the history of the congregation, the sisters elected a Slovakian, Sister Margita Tusanova, as the new Superior General for the next six years.
Sr.Margita was born on 6 November 1973 in Sečovce. She entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Divine Saviour in Kláštor pod Znievom in 1992. After completing her training, she took her first vows in 1994 and her Perpectual Vows in 2000. She served in the congregation as a provincial assistant of the Slovakian province in Banská Bystrica and Bratislava. After the fusion with the original congregation (2009), she was elected General Assistant in 2012 and has been working in the General Motherhouse in Oberbronn ever since.
After the election, the sisters marched in procession with lit candles into the convent church for a festive Eucharistic celebration. This was characterised by palpable joy, gratitude and hope. After the sermon, the new Superior General made a solemn profession of faith in front of the assembled community and affirmed her faithfulness to the service of God,the Church and the Congregation.
The day continued with a festive lunch, after which the representatives of all the provinces, delegations and the French region thanked the previous Superior General, Sister Monika Heuser.
Sr Margita will serve all the sisters and the whole international community in the Congregation as the 13th successor of the Foundress, Blessed Mother Alphonse Mary. Let us pray for her that, in collaboration with the team of the General Council, she will find the best answers for all of us to the challenges of the present: to pass on the richness of our religious charism, to deepen and promote it,to further develop our internationality and to be close to people, especially the poor and the suffering.
The General Chapter will continue its planned programme over the next few days, which also includes the election of the General Assistants.