Rome (Italy). The Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, opens Circular no. 1050 sharing the experience lived at the International Congress of the Mornese World Confederation of the Past Pupils of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, from the theme, “Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope!” (EG 86), held in Sacrofano (Rome) from 25 to 29 May 2025, and recalls in a particular way, the Family Spirit originated by the affection, the loving welcome, and the unconditional dedication breathed in the FMA Educating Communities:
“From that experience rich in humanity, what these women and men – mothers, fathers, professionals, educators – carry in their minds and hearts is sincere affection, the family spirit breathed and lived to the point of full identification with the environment in which they grew up. It is precisely this element that has penetrated their hearts and lives, the experience of a humanity which generates life, which knows how to share, sacrifice itself, welcome with esteem and respect in the community and among young people, as Article 50 of our Constitutions emphasizes.”
Listening to the solicitation of a Sister – “Help us return to a true community life; we are losing humanity and the joy of fraternal life” – Mother Chiara brings to common reflection some questions. Are we really losing humanity? Are we really losing the joy of community life?
The strength of meekness
The “loss of humanity” is one of the risks that Mother sees as closest in contemporary culture. The risk is perhaps that it can also enter into us, in our personal and community life, sometimes contaminated by the actual culture, generally centered on individualism, on power, and often on the arrogance of the individual at the expense of the good of a community, whatever it may be?
In the month of June, when the liturgy offers the two great solemnities of the Body and Blood of Christ and the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which “express the absolute love of Christ who gives Himself totally to humanity,” draw attention to meekness, as a “winning strategy” offered by Jesus and as “land to conquer” “There is no ‘land’ more beautiful than the hearts of people; there is no territory more beautiful to conquer than peace found with a brother, with a sister. This is the ‘land’ to be inherited with meekness!”
Mother Clare describes meekness – also called exquisite “gentleness” – as a virtue that first of all “is not weakness; it is not resignation or renunciation, but the will to put ourselves in play as people”; a virtue that we learn, in which we grow and do the work of conquest, in a path of inner freedom “that allows looking at and facing reality and people without prejudice and with sincere love,” going beyond “the logic of action and reaction of Evil.”
After quoting the words of Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini and Pope Francis, she dwells on those pronounced by Pope Leo XIV on 8 May 2025, the day of his election as Successor of Peter. Pope Leo spoke of the need for “a disarmed and disarming, humble and persevering peace, which can only come from a perspective of respect and dialogue, recognizing the other’s right to be what he/she is.”
In a world increasingly characterized by speed, competition, and aggressiveness, sometimes fueled by the social media, and lack of reflexivity, Mother points to meekness as an indispensable resource, although sometimes underestimated. “It seems paradoxical, but it is precisely in this context that gentleness takes on a revolutionary value. It is not only a matter of good manners, but becomes a conscious commitment to improve oneself and society.”
Faithful witnesses of evangelical meekness
Diverse are the witnesses of evangelical meekness that Mother proposes, starting from Mary, “gentle woman” par excellence who “admirably harmonizes the virtue of fortitude with that of meekness” without ever failing, even under the Cross. With her, Joseph is an example of a character forged by patience.
And Don Bosco also practiced meekness as a fundamental component of his educational system – based on reason, religion, and loving-kindness – surely learning from Mamma Margherita “to live meekness and tenderness, letting the grace of God shape his energetic and fiery character.”
In the same way, Mother Mazzarello, with the help of Fr. Pestarino, “relies on the Holy Spirit to guide her in the work of overcoming and purifying her strong, proud, and impatient temperament, until she lets herself be transformed into a meek and humble person,” to welcome and live the development of the feminine Charism.
The example of Sister Maria Troncatti, close to Canonization, in whom is manifested “the ability to live meekness as a total gift of self, in humble, patient, tireless service to brothers and sisters, both Shuar and Colonists.”
“They are examples that help us to rediscover the values not to be lost in any way and encourage us to go forward to realize an authentic fraternity, to revive with joy our belonging to a charism that today is more current than ever. We cannot back away; we are all called to witness to a humanity that generates life and life in abundance,” concludes Mother.
Concluding the Circular, together with the entire Salesian Family, Mother expresses, on the date of the name day of Don Bosco, 24 June, “affectionate wishes to the Rector Major Fr. Fabio Attard, whom we entrust to Mary Help of Christians, so that she may bless and sustain his life and mission.”
Finally, from Cesuna, in the province of Vicenza, where she is with the Sisters of the General Council for the Spiritual Exercises, “Thank you for the fraternal and affectionate welcome of the Triveneta Province, Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello (ITV),” and she assures them of remembrance and prayer, “especially for communities living in situations of war, suffering, persecution, and poverty”.
