Rome (Italy). On 6 August 2020, at the Salesian Parish “Holy Mary of Hope” in Rome, eight young women from the International Novitiates Mary Help of Christians of Castel Gandolfo (Rome) and Sister Teresa Valsè Pantellini of Rome, Via Appia made their First Profession. The professed belong to the Italian Provinces IPI, ILO, ILS, ISI, IMR, and the Middle East Province MOR.
The Solemn Eucharist was presided over by Fr. Pascual Chàvez Villanueva, Rector Major emeritus of the Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister Yvonne Reungoat, welcomed the professed into the Institute of the FMA. In compliance with the health regulations due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, some General Councilors, the Provincials of the newly professed, some FMA, and the parents of the young women were present. The Novices of the two FMA Novitiates animated the liturgy and singing.
In this time of particular suffering for the whole of humanity, the Lord continues to call young women to follow Him on the path of the Evangelical Counsels, to witness to the world the wonders that God works in those He loves, Fr. Pascual Chavez recalled in his homily:
“Today you make a profession of love, you testify that you are people loved by God. ‘Remain in my love” (Jn 15: 9). It is from love that a life like that of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, who lived this Love of God, being good shepherds on the streets of Turin, Mornese, Nizza Monferrato, springs from love. They had only one desire in their hearts: they wanted to fill the community with happiness by giving them the supreme gift of Christ. Dear sisters, courage, may Mary, the Immaculate Help of Christians, take you by the hand and protect you and accompany you always.”
In response to the Father’s Love, the young women read the formula of Profession expressing their donation to God and the young people and the commitment to live the evangelical counsels according to the Constitutions of the FMA Institute.
Mother Yvonne Reungoat gave the Constitutions and the Crucifix. At the end of the Rite of Consecration, the newly Professed entrusted themselves to Mary with the hymn Madre Fiducia Nostra.
The Celebration ended with the thank you of the newly Professed to the Father, for having experienced His care of their lives and their journey in this time of uncertainty due to the pandemic, grateful to be able to express their ‘yes’ in communion with those who are spending themselves in the service of others. Thanks also went to the parents, the Provinces, the Communities, the priests, and the FMA who accompanied them in the early years, the friends, and the young people present through live streaming.
Mother expressed her wish for them to be happy Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, content to give themselves totally to the Lord and to young people. She expressed her thanks to the families for their support of the vocation of their daughters and assured them of the prayers of all the FMA in the world with these words: “Feel welcomed with all our heart into this great family”. Finally, she expressed the hope that many young people will be able to listen to the call of Jesus, because the world needs educators who listen and help other young people to find the meaning of life.
Muito bom ver as fotos!