25/10/2008 - From Africa to Oceania, one sole voice: Thank you
From Africa to Oceania, one sole voice: Thank you
If it is true, as some people say, that words are the mirror the soul, yesterday evening in the Generalate of the Salesian Sisters in Rome, words were the enchantment of the soul. The hall that housed the hymn of the Magnificat of more than 14,000 Sisters and Mother Colombo during these last few days, was like an echo chamber to the Amen ofthe new Superior General, Mother Yvonne Reungoat and the unique and intense choral expression of “best wishes” that the Salesian Sisters of the five continents, represented in the Chapter assembly, together with the Rector Major and some of the Salesian Superiors, manifested to La Madre.
Behind every word, there was a soul. And more than a choreography of songs and sounds, this was an artistic exhibition: living masterpieces, mirror of the artistic, historical and cultural patrimony of their own countries and communities.
The celebration began with the invitation of Oceania to La Madre to “walk together.” The joy of good wishes started precisely from that horizon where the sun rises and sets before any other place in the world. Europe followed with the exhibition of the Hymn to Joy of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. To accompany the performance there were not the usual musical instruments, but only the Sisters’ hands that beat time on their legs and bodies or snapping of their fingers.
The Hymn of Joy was followed by therite of African welcome with the symbols of water, the staff, grain, and the cloak. Immediately following there was the artistic expression of America with the song of the women who weave life. The finale was a unique Asian dance: the love of our house.
In this atmosphere of sweet affection, the miracle happened. From the continents they moved on to the World, the world in which young people live. The evening could not help but conclude with this group of the preferred people of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the young people. Light, enthusiasm and peace was invoked upon them.The Chapter Assembly thus lived a moving journey in the hall. Here a small, but precious gift, a piano, sought to enclose the profound significance of this celebration. “You are our pianist,” said Sr. Giuseppina Barbanti, president of CII, as the “little word” in Mother Yvonne’s ear. “A series of wires connected to a keyboard is not worth anything unless you lovingly and competently press the keys that are connected to the hammers which, hitting the cords, produce the sound.” In her concluding words Mother Yvonne seemed to have responded to this availability to walk together with the whole Institute communicating in a tone of voice and with a profound look the phrase that accompanied the entire day: “I entrust them to you.” These were the words that Mother Mazzarello heard in her heart in the vision of the collegio with the young people on the playground. “I entrust them to you! I feel this invitation strongly within myself”, emphasized Mother Yvonne. At this point there was no better conclusion to the evening in which the words were truly the enchantment of the soul.
Behind every word, there was a soul. And more than a choreography of songs and sounds, this was an artistic exhibition: living masterpieces, mirror of the artistic, historical and cultural patrimony of their own countries and communities.
The celebration began with the invitation of Oceania to La Madre to “walk together.” The joy of good wishes started precisely from that horizon where the sun rises and sets before any other place in the world. Europe followed with the exhibition of the Hymn to Joy of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. To accompany the performance there were not the usual musical instruments, but only the Sisters’ hands that beat time on their legs and bodies or snapping of their fingers.
The Hymn of Joy was followed by therite of African welcome with the symbols of water, the staff, grain, and the cloak. Immediately following there was the artistic expression of America with the song of the women who weave life. The finale was a unique Asian dance: the love of our house.
In this atmosphere of sweet affection, the miracle happened. From the continents they moved on to the World, the world in which young people live. The evening could not help but conclude with this group of the preferred people of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the young people. Light, enthusiasm and peace was invoked upon them.The Chapter Assembly thus lived a moving journey in the hall. Here a small, but precious gift, a piano, sought to enclose the profound significance of this celebration. “You are our pianist,” said Sr. Giuseppina Barbanti, president of CII, as the “little word” in Mother Yvonne’s ear. “A series of wires connected to a keyboard is not worth anything unless you lovingly and competently press the keys that are connected to the hammers which, hitting the cords, produce the sound.” In her concluding words Mother Yvonne seemed to have responded to this availability to walk together with the whole Institute communicating in a tone of voice and with a profound look the phrase that accompanied the entire day: “I entrust them to you.” These were the words that Mother Mazzarello heard in her heart in the vision of the collegio with the young people on the playground. “I entrust them to you! I feel this invitation strongly within myself”, emphasized Mother Yvonne. At this point there was no better conclusion to the evening in which the words were truly the enchantment of the soul.
25/10/2008 - Fr. Pascual Chávez Villanueva, father of the Salesian Family and Rector Major of the Salesians, greeted Mother Yvonne Reungoat by narrating his own experience in the light of the encounter between Jesus and Simon Peter.
24/10/2008 - A changing of the guard, or better, a passage of “ the help of Christians.” This is what happened today in the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
24/10/2008 - After 136 years of Italian Superiors General, from today, a French sister, with a degree in History and Geography, from the University of Lyons, becomes the new Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
