Mornese (Italy). The Mornese Project took place from 1 to 28 September 2018, in English, for the 40 FMAs representing 5 continents worldwide. The animators were O’Byrne Máire, Sr. Flor Rachel Melissa and Sr. Maria Soosai Sahaya Sangitha Rani.
The first week after meeting with the various areas in the General House, the participants made the pilgrimage to Rome for a rediscovery of faith in the places of martyrs, popes, saints by visiting the Basilicas and the Catacombs, and participating in the Audience with Pope Francis. One participant shared her experience: “Rome offers us the experience of Saint Peter who, with his fragility and limitations, became the model par excellence with his courage and his profound love for the Master”.
In the second week spent in Turin, the participants walked on the streets traveled by Don Bosco. A significant moment was the prayer vigil before the Madonna, a moment of profound intimacy between Mother and daughters. “Valdocco is still alive with Don Bosco and his love for Mary, – shared a participant – we feel as if Don Bosco were still here with his body and his soul”.
The last stage, destination and heart of the Mornese Project, saw the pilgrim participants with Main on the streets of her land, a land full of sun, but sheltered from strong winds. It was a strong inner experience to stand, walk, sing on the same ground and stones that Mother Mazzarello crossed every day on her journey of love.
In the silence of Mornese the participants reflected and deepened their vocation and the Charism.
“We were amazed to see how Mary Domenica was able to find the right balance to bring about a transformation in every sister and young person“.
“There has grown a deep desire to make our hearts a temple of love so that when we return to our provinces we can bring greater love of God to our communities “.
“During our pilgrimage, we really went to the origins of our Christian (Rome), Salesian (Turin), and feminine (Mornese, Lu, Nice) identity. What I had studied and read became a profound conviction when I saw it with my own eyes. Since then I treasure every moment of this experience to deepen my love for the Institute “.
