Triennial Verifica CIMAC-NAC

Newton (United States of America). From 11 to 15 August 2025, in Newton, New Jersey, the Triennial Verifica of the CIMAC–NAC Conference took place at Sacred Heart Novitiate, in which 47 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, lay collaborators, and young people from the Provinces participated: Saint Joseph (SEC) of the Eastern United States and Canada, Mary Immaculate (SUO) of the Western United States, St. Joseph (ANT) of the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Cuba; Our Lady of Perpetual Help (HAI) of Haiti, Mother of the Church (MMO) of Northern Mexico, Our Lady of Guadalupe (MME) of Southern Mexico, Most Holy Savior (CAM) of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras; and Our Lady of the Angels (CAR) of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama.

The meeting was attended by the Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, and some General Councilors: the Vicar, Sister María del Rosario García Ribas, Sister Nilza Fátima de Moraes, Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora, Sister Ena Veralís Bolaños, Sister Maria Ausilia De Siena, Sister Leslie Sándigo Ortega, and Sister Phyllis Neves.

The richness of CIMAC-NAC also constitutes a challenge, as the Conferences speak four languages: French, Italian, Spanish, and English. To facilitate communication and participation, the Host Province (SEC) hired Langfinity, an artificial intelligence translation company, to provide simultaneous translation with audio and subtitles in the four languages, allowing all participants to share the experience with one heart and one voice.

Most of the participants arrived on Sunday 10 August. After a check of the technological equipment, the meeting opened with the “Travelers’ Mass”, celebrated by Father Eric Wyckoff, Salesian of Don Bosco, chaplain of the Verifica. At the Goodnight, Mother Chiara offered a reflection on Blessed Maria Troncatti, FMA, who will be canonized on 19 October 2025. With joy and gratitude, she shared decisive moments and virtues of her life, inspiring in each one renewed hope and commitment to holiness.

On 11 August, the Feast of Saint Clare marked the official opening of the Verifica with Lauds guided by the  SUO Province. Each of the eight Provinces then presented itself with creativity and a sense of humor. After the invocation to the Holy Spirit, the SEC Provincial, Sister Colleen Clair, welcomed the participants and offered Mother Chiara, on the occasion of her feast day, a symbolic glass globe. The NAC President, Sister Thuy Huong Nguyen, reminded the participants that “the most important language is the language of love, the language of the Holy Spirit.”

Mother Chiara then held her first presentation – “Pilgrim Communities of Hope” – underlining the path of the Salesian Family in the tension of “already and not yet”, animated by the holy hope of Don Bosco and Saint Mary Mazzarello. The morning ended with the Eucharist presided over by the Bishop of Paterson, Monsignor Kevin J. Sweeney, who encouraged everyone to live humility, gratitude, and hope in their Salesian vocation. He gave a special blessing to Mother on her name day. Lunch was followed by moments of celebration, with a surprise cake for her, and the evening ended with prayer, a joyful recreation, and the Good Night of Mother, who invited everyone to see beyond the statistics, the living history of God’s grace.

On August 12, Lauds led by the HAI Province was followed by the lectio divina on the Annunciation offered by Father Eric, who invited the Sisters to reflect: “Are we simple social workers, or, like Mary, living tabernacles?” In her words, Mother Chiara explored the theme of “Synodality and Educating Community”, highlighting the responsibility shared by all in building the family, identity, and a pedagogy of accompaniment. The Assembly then began its first moment of discernment and voting on the questions of the Verifica.

In the afternoon, Sister Nilza Fatima de Moraes, Councilor for Formation, led a reflection on the Beatitudes and their link with the “Institute’s Formation Plan” and the “Guidelines for the Educational Mission”. Evening Mass was animated by Mexico, followed by recreation led by the ANT Province. CIMAC ended the day with the Good Night, offering a touching video about Blessed Sister Maria Romero and Servant of God Sister Antoinette Böhm.

August 13 opened with the Mass animated by the CAM Province and a reflection by Mother Chiara who urged to “rekindle the fire of the missionary spirit” inherited from Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. The day featured a cultural outing in New York, where attendees visited the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, the 9/11 memorial, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The day was lived in a spirit of fraternity and gratitude for what was admired and seen.

On August 14, the feast of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, the ANT Province led Lauds and the participants listened to the second lectio divina by Father Eric on the Magnificat of Mary. In her conference, Mother Chiara spoke about “Integral Ecology and Spirituality of Care”, reminding everyone that the environmental crisis is also a spiritual crisis, which requires a “profound interior conversion” and care of the common home. The Assembly then worked on the second question of the Verifica, integrating proposals inspired by Laudato Si’.

In the afternoon, Sister María del Rosario García Ribas spoke about the protection of minors and vulnerable adults, with time dedicated to group reflection. After the Holy Mass, animated by the HAI Province, the recreation was animated by the CAM Provincials and the Good Night of NAC. In concluding the day, Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora, Councilor for the Missions, invited the participants to be more open to the missionary impulse of the Charism.

The Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on 15 August, solemnly marked the closing of the Verifica, beginning with Lauds prepared by the MME Province. In the homily of the Eucharistic Celebration, Father Eric reflected on the life of Mary as the great “yes” who opened heaven to humanity. Like her, the Salesian Family is called to walk in trust, even in the midst of challenges, with its eyes fixed on eternity and its heart burning with love for young people.

After breakfast, the Assembly met for the last working session to discuss the theme proposed for the next General Chapter, in an atmosphere of openness and discernment. The convergences that emerged gave clarity and direction to the shared path of CIMAC–NAC.

After lunch, a surprise awaited the group, who were able to enjoy a special ice cream thanks to a benefactor. The final evening was experienced in true Salesian family spirit, with songs, dances, and symbolic gestures, expressions of gratitude to Mother Chiara, the Councilors, and the team who, with dedication and joyful service, made the meeting possible.

In her final words, Mother Chiara expressed thanks to all the participants, urging them to keep alive the hope that sustains consecrated life, to cultivate synodality in their daily mission, and to remain steadfast in their love for young people, especially the poorest.

Enriched and renewed by these days of prayer, discernment, and fraternity, the participants set off towards their Provinces, bringing with them the fire of hope, the strength of communion, and the missionary zeal that animates the Salesian Family.

Photos: Flickr FMA