SR Simona Brambella MC

Pope Francis on January 6, 2025 sprung a surprise in the Vatican Curia by appointing Sr. Simona Brambilla, Consolata Missionary, to the top post of Prefect for the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life i.e. Religious Orders of the Catholic Church. This ministry was reserved for Cardinals and always held by men. Hence, it’s a first for a woman to head a Dicastery of the Roman Curia. It is heartening to see the Holy Father recognising the potential of women as leaders who have come of age with God-given psychological and spiritual traits, expertise and experience to lead a complex world – beautiful as made by God but marred with human vices.

Accepting her post with grace, she recalls the words of Pope Francis on January 1, 2024 when the Holy Father said, “the Church needs Mary, in order to recover her own feminine face, to resemble more fully the woman, Virgin and Mother, who is her model and perfect image, to make space for women and to be ‘generative’ through a pastoral ministry marked by care and concern, patience and maternal courage.”

Regarding her appointment, Sr. Simona is convinced to lead the synodal way, emphasizing the importance of mutual listening, dialogue and inclusivity. She brings with her a wealth of experience as a missionary, Superior General and psychologist making her, uniquely qualified to lead the Dicastery. 

The global media have flashed this news across the world with appraisal, appreciating the knockout of stereotypes paving the way to women empowerment while intrigued with the appointment of a Pro-Prefect in Cardinal Angel Fernandez Artime. While we view this side of it, there is the other side which speaks of Sr. Simona’s humility. In one of the interviews, she expresses her need and desire to study with the knowledgeable and wise, to guide the religious of today. She believes in being little; for littleness is a hidden grace that gives one the power of God to lead ecclesial activity. While we take legitimate pride in our achievements let us not forget God above, who empowers us.

Leading women and men religious in today’s world is challenging. Lifestyles have changed society – glorifying virtual relationships, self-willed domineering personalities with little or no accountability, comfortable with a throwaway culture. How does this augur for those in consecrated life? Will there be a paradigm shift to accommodate this current perspective? May the Holy Spirit enlighten the Prefect to discern and guide the religious of today.

Sr. Margaret Mendonca CCR
St. Joseph Province.