San Lorenzo (Paraguay). From 26 to 30 August 2025, the Triennial Verifica of the Interprovincial Conferences of the Southern Cone of Latin America (CICSAL) and Brazil (CIB) held at the Casa Mornese of San Lorenzo House for Spiritual Exercises of St. Raffael Archangel Province (PAR), is the last one scheduled for the General Council.
The Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, accompanied by seven General Councilors: Sister María del Rosario García Ribas, Sister Nilza Fatima de Moraes, Sister Ausilia De Siena, Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora, Sister Leslie Sándigo, Sister Marta Riccioli, and Sister Paola Battagliola, together with the Provincials, the Sisters, lay people, and young representatives of the Salesian realities and of the Communities of the Provinces of the Southern Cone and Brazil actively participated, bringing freshness, joy, and commitment to every shared moment.
The opening on 26 August, was a beautiful moment of welcome and encounter. The Presidents of the two Conferences, Sister María de los Ángeles Grassi, Provincial of Immaculate Conception Province (URU), and Sister Alaíde Deretti, Provincial of Our Lady Aparecida Province (BAP), welcomed everyone with affection, while Mother Chiara, with her inspiring words, helped to project us into the days.
In the first reflection, “Presence that listens”, Sister Daniela Cannavina, religious of the Capuchin Sisters of Mother Rubatto, invited each participant to open their hearts and listen deeply. The Eucharist at the beginning of the Verifica presided over by Monsignor Edmundo Valenzuela, Salesian of Don Bosco, Bishop emeritus of Asunción, was held in the Basilica Our Lady of Miracles of Caacupé, patron saint of the Paraguayan people.
The working methodology adopted during the Verifica was conversation in the Spirit, which gave the participants the opportunity to form a community of prayer and reflection, to respond to the indicated orientations. Every day the participants had the precious word of Mother and the input of Sister Daniela Cannavina.
On 27 August we focused on the theme “Presence that walks together”, with the opportunity to share our experiences, works, and what we have learned. In the afternoon, the reflection on “Presence outgoing and online” opened up dialogue on current missionary challenges, showing the dedication and creativity of those engaged in service. The day ended with the Eucharistic Celebration, which reflected the spirit of fraternity and unity.
On 28 August was a day of intense community reflection. The assemblies and the work of the secretaries made it possible to gather the things learned and the ideas of each group on the deliberation of General Chapter XXIV, consolidating the spirit of discernment and communion among all the participants.
On 29 August the day was dedicated to projecting towards General Chapter XXV. Each participant had time for personal reflection, centered on a time of Eucharistic adoration. Subsequently, the reflection in the groups was shared in the assembly.
A precious formative moment were the Goodnights of Mother and some Councilors who conveyed hope, sharing on the different realities of the Institute. In the afternoon, the participants attended a tribute to Mother with notes from Paraguayan folklore. The Goodnight was animated by the young participants, filling the encounter with laughter, gratitude, and hope.
On 30 August, the last day of the meeting, was experienced with Sister Nilza Fatima de Moraes, Councilor for Formation, who presented the path taken in view of the new version of the Formation Plan and the Guidelines for the educational mission of the FMA Institute. Sister María del Rosario García Ribas, Vicar General, spoke on the Institute’s Policy for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults.
To conclude the Triennial Verifica, all the participants went to the Mary Help of Christians College in Asunción, where they participated in the artistic festival, “Grateful memory for a future of hope,” on the occasion of the celebration of the 125 years of FMA presence in Paraguay, recognizing the journey traveled and looking enthusiastically towards the future.
The Triennial Verifica in Paraguay was much more than an institutional meeting. It was a time of attentive listening, a sincere encounter in fraternity and prayer and shared commitment, in which each person contributed to strengthening the Salesian mission and presence in the Interprovincial Conferences.
Photos: Flickr FMA
La celebración de los 125 años de presencia de las FMA en Paraguay ha traído consigo muchas bendiciones, entre ellas la realización de la Evaluación Trienal por primera vez en la Inspectoría San Rafael Arcángel con la presencia de la Madre Chiara Cazzuola y de las siete Consejeras generalicias y además, el poder acoger a las delegaciones de las dos conferencias Interinspectoriales CIB y CICSAL en nuestra casa. Sentimos que el paso de la Virgen por nuestra casa se ha hecho palpable, y deseamos que los frutos que broten de esta rica experiencia, redunden en bien de los miembros de la Inspectoría con la fecundidad vocacional y el reavivar del fuego misionero en nuestros corazones.