Mission Statement revised and Commitment approved for next five years at international gathering
(Nazareth, Kentucky) - A new president and vice president of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth were installed over the weekend at the Motherhouse Campus in Nazareth, Kentucky, ushering in new guidance and leadership for the Congregation’s next five years. Sister Jackulin Jesu and Sister Amrita Manjaly were formally installed during a prayer ritual on Saturday, Aug. 26, and will take office in September.
In attendance at Saturday’s installation was Archbishop of Louisville Shelton J. Fabre, who congratulated the Sisters on their new roles.
“I pray that your time will be a time of great joy, for there is great joy in leadership,” Archbishop Fabre told the Sisters. “I hope that it will be a time of growth and a time of bringing to fruition the many, many things that the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are about.”
Sebastian Kallupura, Archbishop of Patna, India, and Carol Zinn, SSJ, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, also congratulated the Sisters through video message.
The pair was elected during the Congregation’s 2023 General Assembly, which was held in Nazareth from May 29 to June 13, and brought together Sisters of Charity of Nazareth from six nations. In addition to witnessing the election of the new Central Leadership Team, entrusted with overseeing the Congregation until 2028, this significant international gathering also marked the commencement of a transformative journey grounded in diversity, interiority, and communion.
Sister Jackulin Jesu, hailing from India, is the new president of the Congregation, while Sister Amrita Manjaly, also from India, is the new vice president. The new leaders will guide the Sisters in fulfilling their sacred mission.
Reflecting on her appointment, Sister Jackulin expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve.
“With God’s grace and with your blessings, I accept this, to be president of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth,” she said.
A Sister of Charity of Nazareth since 1987, Sister Jackulin brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having previously served as vice president and treasurer of the Congregation and participated actively in various committees at both the province and congregational levels. Her extensive background encompasses diverse roles such as teacher, hostel supervisor, nurse, midwife, and 18 years in hospital and health center administration.
In addressing the Sisters during the summer assembly regarding her consideration for leadership, Sister Jackulin said she was inspired by those around her.
“I see in each of us the willingness to respond to cries of those who are poor, those who are oppressed and marginalized, and to walk this earth believing we are indeed called to be co-creators with every breath we draw,” she said.
Sister Amrita Manjaly, a professed Sister of Charity of Nazareth since 1981, assumes the position of vice president in the Central Leadership Team. She brings with her a distinguished career, having served as provincial for the Bangalore Province from 2017 to 2022. With over 35 years of experience in teaching and educational administration, Sister Amrita's expertise will contribute to the Congregation's growth and mission.
“I have been in mission, in ministry wherever the community needed me and called me,” Sister Amrita said of her many years as a Sister. After careful discernment, she accepted the call to leadership.
The Aug. 26 installation prayer ritual celebrated the cross-cultural and global significance of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, opening with a multi-language welcome from Sisters representing the six countries in which the Sisters serve. Also during the installation, the Leadership Team and those in attendance were blessed with Arati and Tikka, Indian and Nepali rituals that bestow blessings and welcome.
One of the significant decisions made during the 2023 Assembly was the transition from two vice presidents to a single vice president in the Central Leadership Team. This streamlined structure aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the leadership of the Congregation and enable more Sisters to be in direct ministry.
Moreover, the assembly approved an updated mission statement for the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, emphasizing their dedication to the legacy of Vincent de Paul, Louise de Marillac, and Catherine Spalding. The revised statement reads as follows:
“We Sisters of Charity of Nazareth are an international Congregation impelled by the love of Christ in the tradition of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac and the pioneer spirit of Catherine Spalding. Embracing intercultural relationships, we and our Associates commit ourselves to care for all creation and to work for peace and justice in solidarity with oppressed and marginalized peoples.”
Guided by the vision of reimagining their mission and revitalizing their Congregation, the assembly delved into the blessings and challenges of living interculturally, nurturing interiority, and embracing vulnerability. The Sisters have responded to the call to tread lightly, embracing diversity, interiority, and communion. Trusting deeply and daring bravely, they made choices for the future, aspiring to create a world that cares for all creation and is more inclusive, compassionate, and just to the oppressed and marginalized.
The assembly concluded with a renewed commitment to the charism of charity and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of love. The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth remain steadfast in their dedication to creating a better future for the earth and all of its inhabitants.
The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth is a Catholic religious congregation dedicated to serving the most vulnerable and marginalized members of society. Originating in Kentucky in 1812, these women have since extended their mission to six countries, living out their commitment to social, environmental, and economic justice. The public can be actively involved by volunteering, participating in events, supporting causes financially, or by joining in prayer and reflection. By visiting their website at https://nazareth.org/, individuals can discover the myriad ways to contribute to their mission and partner with them in making a positive difference in the world.