Medellin (Colombia), 03/10/2025, Sr. Jacintha Gracy Miranda, coordinator JPIC; Sr. Elsa Myrian Londoño V. and Sr. Nícida Díaz Leal.- With the strength of the Holy Spirit and guided by our Charism that inspires us, the delegates of Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC)- Solidarity Projects (SP), from the different provinces of Colombia and the Caribean gathered in the Province of Medellín. This meeting was held from January 31, 2024 to February 2, 2025, was organized and accompanied with fraternal enthusiasm by our General Coordinator of JPIC, Sr. Jacintha Gracy Miranda. The main objective was to develop the Strategic Plan for JPIC for the period 2025-2030, ensuring its integration into the Congregation's spiritual, pastoral, educational, health and social missions. Additionally, this gathering marked the conclusion of Sr. Jacintha's visit to the provinces of Colombia.
Participants:
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Sr. Jacintha Gracy Miranda, Congregational Coordinator of JPIC.
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Srs. Amanda Mesa and Luz Mery, Councilors and Srs. Aura Alicia Ríos, Iraida Elizabeth Martínez Espinoza, delegates from the Province of Medellín.
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Sr. Cleta Marina López Páez, Councilor and Srs. Edilma Ardila, Elsa Myriam Londoño Valenci, Nícida Díaz Leal, delegates from the Province of Our Lady of the Presentation.
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Sr. Olga María Botía Sánchez, delegate from the Province of Bogotá.
We began our gathering with prayer that placed us in the context of our commitment. Subsequently, Sr. Amanda Meza, Councilor of the province of Medellín, welcomed us, inviting us to fully embrace the commitment to new forms of poverty and to reflect on how to reach the most vulnerable.
JPIC as a Way of Life: Sr. Jacintha Gracy Miranda presented the challenges, perspectives and current state of JPIC in our Congregation in the light of the 56th General Chapter. She also discussed its identity, organization, functions, and timelines. Through videos and shared experiences, we reaffirmed our commitment. She defined JPIC as an intrinsic part of Christian spirituality and a way of life that calls us to concrete action.
The following inspiring texts were discussed:
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"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives, and to announce that the time has come" (Lk 4:18-19).
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"We commit to carrying out small and constant actions; together, we can participate in positive change, moving toward an integral ecology" (56th General Chapter, 2024, p. 39).
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"Fostering an integral way of life that incorporates justice, peace, and care for creation in all dimensions of personal and community life, contributing to the building of a more just and sustainable world for future generations" (56th General Chapter, 2024, p. 27).
JPIC Strategic Plan 2025-2030: The Congregational JPIC Project, anchored in the Charism of Blessed Marie Poussepin, represents a commitment to our shared dream of being:
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Builders of peace in a world marked by violence.
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Communities of love and care in a divided and individualistic world.
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Simple, poor, and laborious women in the midst of a consumerist society.
Vision: To be a congregation that actively promotes justice, peace, and ecological harmony in alignment with Gospel values, our Charism and Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si.
Mission: To establish a comprehensive and operational program within the Congregation that embodies the principles of JPIC, ensuring its integration into the Congregation’s spiritual, pastoral, educational, health and social missions, while fostering global solidarity and ecological responsibility.
Objetives:
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Embrace justice, peace, and care for creation as a way of life.
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Restore right and just relationships with God, ourselves, others, and creation.
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Promote, protect and advocate for the integrity of all creation and human rights.
Priorities for 2025-2030 based on Congregational JPIC Project
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JPIC as Way of Life: Commit to the following of Jesus as the center of consecrated and community life, by integrating the values of Justice and Peace as a lifestyle.
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A Life of Trust in Providence: Trust in Providence, valuing the gifts given to each person (abilities, intelligence, and strength) to work honestly and earn a livelihood with simplicity and poverty, (Charismatic Plan).
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Organization: Appoint sisters as JPIC Commission members/delegates for structures, Coordinators for Regional working groups and JPIC animators/Prioresses in each community and communicate details to the General Coordinator if there are changes.
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Formation in Integral Ecology: Train communities to respond with passion and boldness to the mission of JPIC.
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Ecological Economy: Promote solidarity-based, sustainable enterprises and capacity development, fostering global solidarity in the spirit of Marie Poussepin.
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Respond to the Cry of the Earth and the Poor: Projects for migrants,Displaced persons, Anti-Trafficking and Eco-spirituality in education and formation etc.
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Engaging Others: Work with laity, ex-alumni, elderly sisters, Dominican Order and other organizations by building alliances.
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Legacy of Marie Poussepin: Adopt a personal approach to the poor based on closeness, listening and fraternal assistance, without fostering dependence. Encourage gratuitousness, sharing, and opportunities for integral conversion.
Transversal Processes: Alongside these priorities, we establish cross-cutting processes:
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Care for life with a vision of mercy and compassion (Priority 1, JPIC Project).
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Support for JPIC initiatives and Solidarity Projects.
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Personal, community, and missionary transformation.
On the horizon remains the commitment to transformation at all levels—individual, community, provincial, and congregational—so that what is outlined in the 56th General Chapter (p. 39) may become a source that nourishes our passion and courage for the mission. Caring for our common home is a shared responsibility that invites us to reflect on our actions and their consequences for our Earth.
Then, Sr. Jacintha shared her experience visiting the provinces of Colombia, highlighting the dedication and missionary commitment of the sisters. As a Congregation, we are called to walk together in search of new behaviours that contribute to preserve a sustainable future.We are deeply grateful for this opportunity to gather and for the many gestures of hospitality from the Province of Medellín. We gratefully recognize the effort made by the provincials and their counsels along with all their JPIC delegates from the provinces of Bogota, Medellín, Our Lady of the Presentation and Our Lady of Americas.
The meeting fostered an atmosphere of fraternity, prayer, and attentive listening. Although our time was limited, we were able to exchange significant experiences that strengthen our commitment to our brothers and sisters in mission and community. However, we also recognize the ongoing challenge of fully embracing Justice and Peace as a fundamental congregational choice in all communities.
Conclusion
This experience serves as a reminder that everything is possible when God is in our hearts and through Him, our brothers, sisters, and all creation are also present. As pilgrims of hope, we are ambassadors of justice and sustainability, working towards a better world. We commit to carry out small and constant actions; together, we can participate in positive change, moving toward an integral ecology. This is our proclamation, and charity is, and will always be, the soul of our community.