Reflection on HOPE: One Family with Many Faces

by Grace Akunna John-Emezi, HHCJ

Handmaids Of The Holy Child Jesus

Grace Akunna John-Emezi, HHCJ (second from left) with Collaborative Leadership Development Program (CLDP) Cohort 10 members in Rome.

Three months ago, over 300 Catholic sisters under 65 years old gathered in Rome for HOPE 2025. The gathering sparked much reflection about religious life and the global sisterhood including this recent piece by Grace Akunna John-Emezi, HHCJ who is currently serving as a hospital administrator in Ancilla Hospital Ihitte, Ezinihitte, Imo State, Nigeria.

“We are the pilgrims of Hope; together we journey as one family.”

Hope 2025 in Rome was a truly transformative experience for me. It was an honor to participate in this global gathering of sisters—over three hundred religious women from six continents—coming together in one spirit. From the very first day, I was struck by the beauty of our diversity: sisters proudly wearing their traditional and cultural attire, a visible testimony that the Church is one family with many faces.

We believe that by connecting heart to heart across cultures and congregations, we are laying the foundation for a new style of leadership—one rooted in vulnerability, mutual respect, creativity, sisterhood, and the example of Christ.

For me, Hope 2025 was a journey of connection, celebration, and leadership. The atmosphere was powerful, and each day invited us deeper into engagement. One of the highlights was the music of Gen Verde. Their songs carried us through the gathering, lifting our spirits, stirring our emotions, and uniting our voices. The lamentation session, in particular, moved me profoundly and reminded me of the need to be both wise and courageous in leadership.

The central insight I carried home is the call to be a collaborative and transformational leader. We were challenged with questions that still echo in my heart: Who are we called to be now? How do we respond to our call? How do we dare to become the leaders the world longs for and truly needs today?

One phrase has especially stayed with me—shared by a sister during the final Mass: “Be a bridge-builder of hope, not a builder of barriers.” This touched me deeply. I realized that as a religious woman, I must not be afraid to speak openly of my challenges, to embrace vulnerability, and to lead with humility, discernment, and prayer. Leadership, I learned, is not about perfection but about prophetic vision and authenticity.

Above all, this encounter gave me the gift of sisterhood. I connected with inspiring women from every corner of the world, each one a witness of courage, creativity, and faith. This is an experience I will always treasure, replaying it often in the depths of my heart.

My deepest gratitude goes to the entire Leadership Collaborative Team and to our sponsors who made it possible for many of us—even those traveling to Europe for the first time—to live this unforgettable journey of hope.