Rome (Italy). Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, Vicar General sent a letter to the whole Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, officially announcing the place and theme of the World Feast of Gratitude 2019, which will be celebrated on April 26, 2019 in Bellflower, California, in the Province of Mary Immaculate (SUO).
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free (by the poet Emma Lazarus). This is the theme proposed to us by the FMA and is taken from the poem placed at the base of the Statue of Liberty, symbol of the people of the United States.
The slogan chosen for the Feast of Gratitude is: “I entrust them to you”. It makes the entrustment given to Mary Domenica Mazzarello resound in our hearts, a call to sow hope and trust in the hearts of the people and young people, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. Mary Help of Christians, the Statue of Liberty, the Golden Gate Bridge, the tired and suffering crowds, the New Colossus, and the globe of the earth offer the interpretation of the logo chosen for the feast and some ideas for learning more about the theme.
As a sign of communion, each Province is invited to prepare a slide in Power Point depicting its own educating community either on a bridge or with a bridge in the background, which presents a significant experience of apostolic presence among migrants. The slide in the standard size, in jpg format can be sent to the Coordinator of Gratitude Day: Sr. Carmen Botello at gratitudedayusa2019@gmail.com, no later than March 24, 2019.
The FMA Website contains information and news of the Province.
Every Feast of Gratitude is characterized by a concrete sign of solidarity, which makes the family spirit visible and helps to broaden the view of the world. This year the offering collected by the provinces will be sent to the General Economer to support the needs of the Institute, and in particular, to help a new community on the border between Mexico and the USA, planned by the two Interprovincial Conferences CIMAC and NAC, whose mission will be to collaborate with other institutions in offering culture and formation to young migrants.
This is the climate to prepare to celebrate, on a worldwide level, the Feast of Gratitude to Mother General for the unceasing gift of self to young people, to the Institute, and to the Church.
We entrust to Mary the life and mission of Mother General, Sister Yvonne Reungoat, whom we wish to reach as of now with our choral gratitude and prayer.
Rome, 11 February 2019. Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, Vicar General
Letter for the Feast of Gratitude – Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, Vicar General
