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OUR SPIRIT AND CHARISM
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Sister Teresia van Miert was
deeply moved
by the needs of the times in which she lived.
Steeped in the Gospel and in the life of St. Francis
of Assisi,
She discovered ways to alleviate
the sufferings of the people in her surroundings.
SFIC Constitutions: Spiritual Basis, Ch I, lines
1-6
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The example of Sister Teresia van Miert, our Foundress,
inspires us to be sensitive and responsive to the needs
of our times. Steeped in the Gospel and in the way St. Francis
lived it, after the example of the Sisters who preceded
us, we give special attention to the underprivileged sectors
of society. We open our eyes to the needs of the people
in our surroundings and search for ways to alleviate their
sufferings. "For the Sisters are called to heal the
wounded, to bind up those who are bruised and to reclaim
the erring." (SFIC Constitutions: Spiritual Basis,
Ch 1, lines 25-28)
Our loving surrender to the living God, in imitation of
Jesus Christ, moves us constantly to pray and contemplate
on the reality of His abiding love. This experience opens
our eyes to the nearness of God in the people around us.
He comes to us in the poor, the little ones, and the powerless,
and enables us to work for His Reign of Justice, Peace and
Integrity of Creation. (cf SFIC Constitutions: Spiritual
Basis, Ch 3, lines 10-20)
As Franciscan religious women, we continuously try to live
in a spirit of simplicity, submission, love and penance.
(cf SFIC Constitutions: Spiritual Basis, Ch 1, lines
30-34) We also strive for humility, patience and true
peace.
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