Rome (Italy).On 6 February 2025, the 4th appointment of the Salesian Thursdays at the Auxilium – in presence and online – on themes of pedagogy, spirituality, and history of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, proposed by the Studies Center on the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the Pontifical Faculty of Education Science «Auxilium» in Rome.
This edition is at the beginning of the Triennium in preparation for the 150th anniversary of the first FMA missionary expedition (2024-2027). Timeline 150th FMA Missions
Mother Ersilia Crugnola (1892-1973): A missionary with a mystical-apostolic heart” is the theme of the intervention by Sister Eliane Anschau Petri, FMA, Professor of Spiritual Theology of the Pontifical Faculty «Auxilium». She will present the figure of Sister Ersilia Crugnola, mystical missionary, who lived in a complex and difficult time: the religious persecution in Mexico, then in Cuba, and then the April Revolution in the Dominican Republic.
In this context, Mother Ersilia lived her life going forward with an unshakable faith, fleeing to save vocations, supporting and encouraging the sisters, taking care of their formation, and rebuilding the Communities and the Province.
It is also intended to reflect on the mystical experience lived by Mother Ersilia, missionary-educator according to the Preventive System. Her journey of love towards holiness urged her to the total donation of herself, in perfect harmony with the Salesian charism: everything was done for the greater glory of God and for the salvation of young people, especially the poorest.
The Salesian Family is enriched by the gift of the mystical experience that does not stop at extraordinary events – even if there are, as in the case of Mother Ersilia Crugnola – but expresses itself in a deeper apostolic -missionary ardor that comes from the call of the da mihi animas cetera tolle and of “I entrust them to you”.
Mother Ersilia Crugnola is a personality that has much to say to the FMA Institute, which is preparing to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first missionary expedition. The world today cries out its need for motherhood/fatherhood that are expressions of God’s motherhood/fatherhood: capacity to accept without judging; attentive and deep listening, empathy, understanding and compassion, courage and daring, to empower people, missionary impetus to incarnate the Gospel and the Salesian charism in the various cultures.
The meeting is broadcast online from 18:30 (Italian time) and remains available on the YouTube channel Centro Studi FMA.
Grazie, Irmã Eliane pela oportunidade de conhecer esta figura feminina, salesiana, missionaria com grande paixão apostólica, eucarística, missionária, que deixou-se guiar pela ação do Espirito Santo em busca de viver segundo a vontade de Deus. Coragem nesta sua árdua missão, de tornar conhecida a vida simples e santa de nossas Irmãs ao longo dos tempos. Deus abençoe e Madre Ersilia Crugnola interceda por todas nós.
Grazie per l’opportunità di partecipare alla presentazione di questa grande figura salesiana. La sua spiritualità e il suo coraggio mi incoraggiano ad andare avanti.