Opening of Probation 2026-2027 - RSCJ International

It is a joyous moment for the
Society of the Sacred Heart
as they welcome seven RSCJ
who are beginning their Probation journey
together in Rome.

On September 3, 2026, the General Council officially welcomed the seven new probanists: Christine Kebirungi (Africa), Dorcas Manona (Africa), Gaëtane Dupuy (EURO-NIL), Naomi Bonzeke (Africa), Tímea Milánkovics (CEI), Veronica Nyadoi (Africa) and Vinsensia Gorsa Netris (INS), who will be staying at the Villa Lante in Rome.

From the time of Madeleine Sophie, Probation has been a gift from God and the Society in which each probanist is given the time and space to hear God in a new way and to deepen her relationship with Jesus Christ, in immediate preparation for making a lifelong commitment as an RSCJ.

In her opening conference, Superior General Claire Castaing asked the probanists to come as they are, as their true selves, open to God’s action and His love:

Come as you are. Come with what you carry within you today: your strengths and your frailties, your generosity and your resistance, your certainties and your questions, your dreams and perhaps your fears. You are not here to become ‘perfect’ religious sisters in a matter of months. You are here to make yourselves available to God’s action. Probation is a time to let Him take the lead.

…Allow yourselves to be loved. Allow Christ to look upon you. Allow yourselves to be transformed by His Spirit. And ask Him to make your hearts, little by little, like His own.”

For this Probation group, the directors Gerardette Philips and Quena Valdés chose an icon to accompany our sisters during this journey, the image of John, the disciple, with his head resting on the Heart of Christ.

Speaking about the icon that has been chosen, Sr. Castaing talked about listening to Jesus and entering into his Heart:

“Learn from Him humanity and tenderness. Learn from Him passion and silence. Learn from Him joy and peace. Ask ceaselessly for the grace to know Him intimately, so that you may love Him more and follow Him more closely.”

But she also emphasized listening to and learning from each other, with their different backgrounds and experiences:

Do not try to erase your differences. Embrace them as a gift. Listen to one another. Learn from one another. Share what gives you life. Dare also to speak of what is difficult. Together, create a community atmosphere that truly fosters the experience of God and sharing.”

Let us pray for our sisters and the Probation Community during this special time.

You can see photos and read the full text of the Opening Conference below.