Castel Gandolfo (Rome). From 5 to 25 July 2021, 18 FMA Temporary Professed Sisters of the Middle East-Europe Interprovincial Conference (CIME), met in Castel Gandolfo (Rome) to live the First Month of the Second Novitiate, accompanied by Sr. Roberta Tomasi of Jesus Adolescent Province (MOR ), Sr. Anna Trotti of Mary Mother of the Church Preprovince (RMC), and Sr. Elena Ongarato, of St. Mary D. Mazzarello Triveneta Province (ITV).
The experience, which had as its guiding thread the icon of the prophet Elijah: “And behold the Lord passed” (1 Kings 19) was enriched by insights, pilgrimages, the Goodnight of the Mother General of the FMA Institute, Sr. Yvonne Reungoat, and some General Councilors.
The days were characterized by the presentation of the contents through experiential and workshop activities, by times of sharing in groups, and of serene and joyful fraternity. Comparison with the life of some FMA in Salesian history allowed us to look at the richness of holiness of the FMA Institute.
The focus was on:
– “Like Martha and Mary: vocational unity”, presented by Fr. Marco Panero, SDB and by Fr. Pascual Chávez Villanueva, Rector Major emeritus of the Salesians of Don Bosco;
– “Following Christ in Salesian life”, Fr. Carlo Maria Zanotti, SDB deepened the evangelical counsels and Sr. Elena Ongarato examined the feminine dimension in living the vows;
– “The mysticism of living together”, with which Sr. Bernarda Santamaria, Animator of the Generalate of Rome (RCG), helped the Temporary Professed re-read the articles of the Constitutions on fraternal life;
– “With Mary in prayer”, Sr. Linda Pocher, Lecturer at the Pontifical Faculty of Educational Sciences “Auxilium” in Rome, spoke on the Marian dimension in the FMA Institute, guiding the Temporary Professed to reflect on their relationship with Mary and on how to accompany the young people to meet Her;
– “Da mihi animas coetera tolle”, with ideas offered by Fr. Andrea Lonardo, Director of the Office for University Pastoral Care in Rome, on how to accompany young people to faith, and by Fr. Michal Vojtas, SDB, who presented the theme of vocational pedagogy.
In the encounter with Jesus and the sisters, the temporary Professed were able to reflect on the God who loves, and calls to respond with a more aware and free Yes.
