Pontifical Commissary
Sister Bonnie MacLellan, csjssm
Commissary Delegate
Sister Bonnie Chesser, csjssm
Governance
After years of careful consideration, thoughtful contemplation and discernment, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul transferred their congregation’s governance to a Pontifical Commissary in 2024.
A Pontifical Commissary has the same authority as the General Superior. In addition to the normal powers of governance, the Pontifical Commissary’s role is to maintain constant and open dialogue with the Sisters, seeing to their spiritual and material needs and making choices that will ensure the pursuit of a peaceful regular community life. The Pontifical Commissary is directly responsible to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, a department of the Vatican.
The position of Pontifical Commissary has been given to the General Superior of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie and her successors. The Pontifical Commissary can delegate Commissary responsibilities to a Delegate as she deems necessary.
A team of advisors from the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul has been established to support the Commissary and Delegate. This team, chosen through a discernment process, consists of three individuals with the skills and qualities necessary to provide support and guidance. They will be in place for two years to help with the transition, with the possibility of renewal.
Communal Intention 2019
We will consciously be a contemplative, compassionate presence with ourselves, with each other, and with all of creation.
In a spirit of solidarity, we accept our reality as part of an evolutionary process, letting go of what binds us, leaving us free to move confidently into an unknown future.
Thus, we will continue to be a Providence presence in our world.