by Sr Cristiane Dos Santos
I was always interested in participating in events on the Jewish-Christian theme, but it was only after my perpetual vows that I really got involved and committed to the cause.
Dialogue with Jewish people is the essence of my identity as a sister of Sion
This commitment means that dialogue with Jewish people is the essence of my identity as a sister of Sion, together with studying and teaching the Scriptures. Dialogue with other religions is a current challenge that is becoming more and more important as we face anti-Semitism, religious intolerance and intolerance of the other in general. And we cannot ignore it. All this requires a loving commitment to friendship and peace.
A loving commitment to fraternity and peace
Coming into contact with rabbis in Catholic-Jewish dialogue has helped me gain a different vision of how to dialogue and how to engage in dialogue. New friendships arise and it is always a new process of mutual learning. With other religious leaders the dialogue is more challenging and complex, and the range of possibilities becomes broader still. In the Conselho de Fraternidade Cristão-Judaica de São Paulo (Council of Christian-Jewish Fraternity of São Paulo), the bond that grows through getting to know each other is even greater. There is a strong sense of family. You open up to the world and to new ways of reflecting and acting.
A culture of dialogue, one that takes hold of our hearts
As a sister of Sion I am enriched with a great sense of responsibility and commitment. My hope is that acts of dialogue, in all their expressions, will transform into a true culture of dialogue, one that takes hold of our hearts.