The USG, (Union of Superiors General) representing male religious meets in general assembly twice a year. Generally speaking a number of around one hundred and twenty members take part. The general assembly of the UISG, the International Union of Superior General representing women religious takes place every three years and is attended by some eight hundred leaders of women’s congregations. In planning the 100^thassembly of the USG, because of the close cooperation that exists between the two unions, a decision was taken to have the two unions celebrate this 100^th assembly together. About two hundred and eighty religious took part in this assembly, equally divided between men and women. That simple fact might be enough to make this a very memorable occasion, but added to that was the proximity of  the first full session of the Special Synod of Bishops that had taken place throughout the month of October, just a few weeks before the assembly. This 100^th assembly of the USG was in great mood to celebrate the synod and to hear the reports of the ten representatives of both unions who took part in all the sessions. In our assembly we were given the opportunity to use the same method of table conversation, conversation in the spirit, that was used at the synod. At tables of eight, men and women together, using one another’s first names, we shared our reflections on 1) the experience of the synod as reported by our representatives, 2) the challenges we see for religious life, coming from the synod,  3) the signs of hope that we see in our society and in our Church, and the places in the world that today are crying out for hope, and 4) the call to be prophets of hope that is part of the DNA of religious life.  This fourth reflection was led by Miguel Marquez Calle, Superior General of the Discalced Carmelites and Sr. Miriam Altenhofen, Superior General of the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit.  Both weaved a pattern through the good experiences of service, joy and loyalty that they have experienced in their respective congregations and in their work with the elderly and the young, helping all of us to see how religious life of both men and women today is a constant sign of hope because of its commitment to Jesus Christ and to the building of good relationships among people. 

To crown this memorable event we were invited to the Vatican in the middle of the assembly to spend time with Pope Francis. In his usual style he welcomed all of us and talked openly about his hopes and concerns for the Church, answering a well prepared series of questions posed by the participants. At the end of the session he stayed to shake hands with every single participant, individually. 

The assembly confirmed us in our support for what the Holy Father has given to the Church in the form of a rediscovery of the value of synodality. The closeness of our contact with the Synod allowed us to appreciate what is being proposed by the Holy Father, which is not always the same as we read in the newspapers or as we hear from people who seem to be more interested in the controversial questions that in the essence of this movement towards full participation and communion in the life of the Church, sharing all the gifts that are necessary for the mission of preaching the Gospel and  building up the Body of the Lord.