Join the Daughters of Jesus in England as they mark the official reception of a revised document outlining a governance structure adapted to their current situation today and looking towards the future.
“Put to the test”
In June 2025, we had the pleasure of a visit from Sr Ruthina Francis, the General Council Delegate for England, accompanied by Sr Colette Gélinas, another General Councillor. During this visit, three celebrations were held to :
- officially present a revised version of the canonical document “Ad Experimentum” to each Sister.
- send Sr Mary Clare Mason on mission as District Leader for another three years.
During discussions held in London in 2020, it was proposed that the 2022 General Chapter of the Congregation look at governance within the whole Congregation. This included the need to revise the structure and governance of the English District which, like other entities in the Congregation, no longer functioned as a Province. It was decided that the entity of England should continue to be known as a District with an “experimental” structure of governance. Many Church documents are commonly cited by a brief Latin name, which reflects the first few words of the text, hence the title “Ad Experimentum”.
After putting the new structure to the test, consultation and due discernment took place. The publication of the subsequent document in March 2025 was an occasion to mark !
The English District in 2025
As of July 2025, there are nine Sisters in England :
- three at The Maples, Peterborough,
- one at St Vincent’s, Pinner,
- five in Westgate-on-Sea, three of whom are in a care home.
Celebrating in hope
The celebrations took the same format in all three venues. During a time of sharing, the Sisters were first asked to express their initial reactions to the two images of a candle and a tree on the front cover of the document. It was noticed that the images of a candle and a tree had been used before, but it was felt they represented both continuity and newness. Some saw the trunk of the tree as a representation of the life of the District; the three persons forming the trunk represented the three places where the mission is lived out today in England.
Passing of the candle
After the sharing, we continued with a time of prayer, where Sr Ruthina ‘sent’ Sr Mary Clare on mission as the District Leader.
Holding the candle, she had received as part of this “sending” Sr Mary Clare then asked each of the Sisters in turn to do the same in their mission, whether it was in a care home setting or with others.
The light calls us to be a light to each other in the District and those around us, as well as being the symbol of Jesus as light of the world. Despite our situation of being small in number as a District, we have to keep the flame burning, and be a light to others, each one in her own way.
“Love one another as I have loved you
(Gospel of St John, 13:34)
and care for each other as I have cared for you.”
Sr Marion Staff
Sr Veronica Howell (age 101)
Recognising Jesus present among us wherever we are
No longer living in a traditional community setting, the Sisters live in fraternal communion where they are now on mission, in a community of faith with people of other denominations, faiths, or of none. The spiritual life in each place where they are varies – attending Mass in the chapel or at the local church, receiving communion weekly from Eucharistic Ministers or following Mass on the internet or praying with fellow residents.
Photo taken at The Maples, from left to right: Srs Helen Ramsay, Teresa McMenamin, Mary Clare Mason, Sheelah Clarke
Belonging to the Congregational body
Communication between the three groups is important – remembering birthdays, etc. An important aspect of this is making sure that news of the Congregation is passed on, including articles printed from the Congregational website. News from other entities within the Congregation is always appreciated especially where formation is concerned!
Srs Rhona Burns and Hannah Buckley on Hannah’s 90th Birthday
Looking to the future
The future of the District will obviously change, and every effort will be required to adapt to the circumstances that arise, along with support from lay people who recognise the charism of the Daughters of Jesus.
Sr Mary Clare Mason dj
District Leader, England
0 Comments