Rome (Italy). On 1 May 2026, amidst an atmosphere of profound communion and Salesian joy, Mary Help of Christians Community (RCG) of the Generalate in Rome celebrated the Feast of Gratitude dedicated to Mother Chiara Cazzuola, who had recently returned from her Visitation to the Sacred Heart Province (ECU) in Ecuador, in conjunction with the global celebration of the Feast of Gratitude. Throughout the day, rich in spiritual significance and moments of joyful conviviality, the very theme of the World Feast was expressed at the local level, “Be missionaries everywhere.”
This celebration “assumes a truly special significance, as it is situated within the context of the recent canonization of Saint Maria Troncatti, a passionate missionary, mother, and artisan of peace and reconciliation, and invites us to embrace ‘this gift as a grace for the entire Institute, calling us to renew our missionary zeal and creative fidelity to the charism, amidst the commemorative journey we are currently undertaking for the 150th anniversary of the First Missionary Departure.'” (Letter of Convocation for the Feast of Gratitude from the Vicar General) Against this backdrop, the community of the Generalate accompanied Mother with daily prayer and prepared to celebrate with her the joy of life and of being together in the name of the Lord.
The morning culminated in the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Father Pierluigi Cameroni, Postulator General for the Causes of Saints of the Salesian Family. In his reflection, he emphasized the importance of a missionary witness capable of becoming both closeness and prophetic proclamation, in full harmony with the Institute’s journey of holiness and within the context of the preparations for the 150th anniversary of the first missionary expedition. “This year, this celebration of thanksgiving is marked by the enduring resonance of the canonization of Sister Maria Troncatti. I have witnessed how the Sisters in Ecuador truly accomplished something extraordinary. They carried the Mother from the Andes to the coast, and into the forest; I believe this was a beautiful missionary undertaking. But I have also observed how the Institute itself is experiencing this event. I appreciated two particular emphases you highlighted throughout the world: the ecclesial dimension and that of the Salesian Family. That is to say, this is not merely a private matter belonging solely to the Institute; no, holiness belongs to the Church. And it is truly beautiful to possess this awareness and to live it out in this spirit.” At the conclusion of the homily, offering a beautiful prayer by Sister Maria Troncatti, he encouraged each Sister to be a woman who gives thanks to God in her daily life: “I thank You, Lord, for having made me a Salesian, a Christian, and a cook in the Motherhouse of Mary Help of Christians.”
Song, poetry, and vibrant colors intertwined during the luncheon to highlight the richness, missionary spirit, and intercultural nature of the Institute across various continents, serving as a hymn of praise for the leadership and guidance provided by Mother Chiara and her Council. Sister Carla Castellino, Animator of the Community, presented gifts to Mother as a token of gratitude for the gift of her presence among the Community. In turn, Mother presented each Sister with a small Rosary featuring images of Mary Help of Christians and Saint Maria Troncatti, inviting them to embrace the prophecy of Our Lady of Fatima and to pray unceasingly for unity and peace in the world.
Mother: “Missionary everywhere”
In the afternoon, the Generalate transformed into a true place of Salesian celebration, a lively “forest” animated by eight indigenous American ethnic groups, Navajos, Maya, Nahua-Pipiles, Taínas, Quechuas, Yanomamis, Wayúu, and Mapuches, all eager to contribute to the spirit of family, interculturality, and community growth. The shared experience served as a tangible expression of gratitude to Mother Chiara, who has truly become a “missionary everywhere,” as she represented the indigenous Shuar people and visited the various stands, featuring games of all kinds, including board games, with spontaneity and joy. Upon Mother’s arrival, each ethnic group welcomed her with a celebratory greeting, expressed also through small flags representing every country, which were pinned to her habit as a concrete sign of affection and gratitude for her mission of unity within the Institute, and as a pledge of prayer for peace and for the mission of every Daughter of Mary Help of Christians.
“It was a beautiful Salesian recreation; I enjoyed myself very much,” was Mother Chiara’s remark at the end of the day. In her address to the Community, she highlighted the educational beauty of knowing how to give thanks, while simultaneously reiterating the importance of living out the family spirit and being vocational communities. “I believe it is good for us to cherish these moments in our hearts as a possibility, as proof that it is possible to experience moments like these within our communities. It is possible! Perhaps we sometimes fear ‘wasting time’ by simply being together; yet, if we do not make time for one another, the family spirit truly cannot grow.
The second point concerns this reality of being vocational communities. It is not merely a matter of inviting young women to undertake an experience, though that is indeed very important. We must keep our houses open to offer young people the opportunity to experience our life as it truly is , but rather, the primary task is to be guardians of one another’s fidelity. Being a guardian does not mean constantly scrutinizing everything the other person does, that is not the point, but rather, it means being a fraternity, a presence that cares, that is attentive, that prays, that offers support, that speaks words of kindness, and that encourages.
The lovely afternoon drew to a close with a shared snack, accompanied by cheerful tales of the various experiences enjoyed at the stands, stories shared even with the resident Councilors who had taken part. And as the lights dimmed and everything returned to its place, the commitment to act as guardians of one another’s faithfulness remained brightly lit within every heart. It was a day that sparked in each woman a renewed impetus to walk together and fill the community’s jars with Living Water, ensuring that the celebration of peace, unity, and fraternity would never end.
Photos: FlickrFMA
