8 March: International Women's Day

On March 8, the date on which the world celebrates International Women's Day, our congregation experienced a special moment of gathering, remembrance, and gratitude in the Dutch Regium.

After the Celebration of the Word in our chapel, the Dutch sisters gathered in the Tuinkamer for a festive lunch, the occasion was marked by the joy of being together, sharing stories, and remembering the journey that so many consecrated women have built over the years.

It was a simple but deeply meaningful gathering. Around the table, enjoying a Spanish lunch prepared with love, the sisters shared life experiences, recalled the time of initial formation in the novitiate, and relived memories that shaped their vocations and strengthened the bonds of friendship and fraternity that characterize religious life.

Memories that unite generations

During the gathering, the sisters also sang together some songs that are part of the history and identity of the congregation. Among them, the song “De Oude Dijk van u en van mij” (The Oude Dijk belonging to you and me) stood out, recalling the street where our congregation was born in the city of Tilburg.

The song tenderly evokes that simple place where it all began. Even with the changes in the city over time – new buildings, stations, and theaters – the memory of the small street where so many women said “yes” to the mission remains alive.

The song recalls that when a Sister of Charity returns to the city, she first sees the signs of progress, but soon her gaze and her heart turn to that essential place: the street where she gave her life and her vocation.

This memory is not just nostalgia. It is a reminder that mission is born from concrete stories, from people who, with courage and faith, have dedicated their lives to service.

Women who transform the world

The sisters of the congregation are witnesses to a history of courage, commitment, and service. Over the years, consecrated women have dedicated their lives to building a more just and caring society, especially through education and care for the sick, transforming these tasks into a true liberating mission.

With prophetic spirit and human sensitivity, these women helped to form generations, cared for the most fragile, and proclaimed, with concrete gestures, the dignity of each person.

March: a month of remembrance and commitment

The month of March invites us to remember the importance of women in society and history. International Women's Day, celebrated on March 8, is also a call to reflection and commitment.

On this day and every day, we stand with all women – mothers, daughters, wives, aunts, sisters – who continue to fight for a dignified place in society and for the rights that belong to them.

It is also a time to reaffirm our hope for a world where:

• women receive fair wages,

• are not victims of violence, femicide, or misogyny,

• and can live with equality, respect, and dignity.

A celebration that continues

The sisters' gathering at Tuinkamer was more than just a festive lunch. It was a moment of gratitude for the history they have lived, of strengthening their sisterhood, and of renewing their commitment to their mission.

Celebrating International Women's Day is to recognize the value and strength of women who, yesterday and today, continue to transform the world with courage, tenderness, and determination.

Because, in truth, Women's Day is every day, and the journey for justice, dignity, and equality continues.