Conference, USA, 1999

The first annual meeting of the delegates from the 19 regions took place outside Rome. The invitation to meet in USA—a step involving an unusually long trip for European sisters and which needed some courage to take up—proved to be an overwhelming experience of generous hospitality in the spirit of St.Benedict in a context of moving liturgies and open sharing. Experiencing at first hand the deep Benedictine spirituality of the American sisters helped to break down many misunderstandings from the past and enhanced respect towards one another.