Melbourne (Australia). From 13 to 16 May 2025, in Scoresby, Melbourne, at the headquarters of Mary Help of Christians Province (SPR), there took place the Triennial Verifica of the South Pacific Region, including Australia, Solomon Islands, and Samoa. All the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Novices, and the Postulants of the Province participated in the Verification, a total of 38 people. Each Community played a fundamental role in this experience of sharing and evaluating their own post-Capitular journey. In turn, the communities also creatively animated daily prayer and the Eucharistic liturgy.
With great joy, the Provincial, Sister Louise McKeogh, and her Council welcomed the Superior General of the FMA Institute, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, who has come to Australia for the first time; Sister Nilza Fátima de Moraes, Councilor for Formation; Sister Chantal Mukase, Visiting Councilor; and Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora, Councilor for the Missions, who had just completed her Canonical Visit to the Province. It was the first time that such a large number of members of the General Council visited the SPR Province.
As facilitator of the meeting, Fr. Hien Vu was invited, a priest from the Archdiocese of Melbourne who had worked with some members of the Provincial Council to categorize the communities’ responses to the various questions for the Verification, on the evaluation of the journey as a Province, starting from General Chapter XXIV .
“Do whatever He tells you” is the theme that accompanied the Verification, which began on the Solemnity of Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello, recalling the origins of the Congregation and the opening of Mary Domenica to the Spirit, while God’s plan unfolded in her life.
13 May – “Being a Presence in Listening”: after the morning prayer on Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello, Mother Chiara gave her introductory discourse clarifying the purpose of the Triennial Verification as an integral part of the post-Capitular journey. Subsequently, in the first intervention, she developed the theme “Authority – Synodality – Educative Community – A clear identity”, followed by a time dedicated to personal reflection, sharing in small groups, and then in assembly.
After the Eucharistic Celebration and lunch, in the afternoon Fr. Hien encouraged the participants to look at their own personal vocation call in the FMA Congregation. Sharing and discussion in small groups followed, then feedback in the assembly. The day ended with Mother’s Goodnight.
14 May – “Synodality: Walking together”: In the morning, Mother Chiara presented her intervention, “Call to rekindle the fire of the mission,” while the afternoon sessions, facilitated by Fr. Hien, who encouraged to be open to the Holy Spirit and others in sharing, focused on a number of questions arising from the responses to questions in the Communities.
In the evening, together with the collaborators, Salesian Cooperators, young people, and family members of some Sisters who have come from different Countries, an informal meeting was held with Mother Chiara, Sister Ruth, Sister Chantal, and Sister Nilza and all the participants. The Good Night was given by two young women, a teacher and a Salesian Cooperator. Both imbued with the Salesian spirit, they use the Preventive System in their respective schools. Their long association with the Salesian sisters has led them to appreciate and be active members of the Salesian Family, for this they expressed their gratitude. The evening ended with words of thanks and encouragement from Mother.
15 May “… Being Prophetic”: The intervention of Mother Chiara – “For the future of the Charism” – led participants to reflect on the gift of the Charism, which is not only for the FMA, but a gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church and to present and future generations. The Charism is rich in potential, ready to flourish with the passionate contribution of each. Mother challenged the participants to find creative ways to keep alive the Charism where there are few vocations to FMA life.
In the evening, the Provincial of Mary Help of Christians Province (AUL), Fr. Peter Hoang Kim Huy, and three other members of the Provincial Council of the Salesians of Don Bosco, concelebrated the Eucharist and shared dinner. At the end of the day, Fr. Peter gave his Goodnight, highlighting the strong impact that the FMA had in sowing the seed and nourishing his SDB vocation.
On 16 May, after the morning prayer on the theme of Laudato Si’, Mother Chiara held a conference on “Integral Ecology and Spirituality of Care”, emphasizing that we are called to a continuous conversion, while it is necessary to take care of the common home and develop a mentality of sustainability, respect, and justice.
In the afternoon, Father Hien conducted an activity where the participants recognized and named the gifts of the Spirit present in each other. This exercise has helped to get to know each other more deeply.
Afterwards, Sister Ruth presented some statistics of the Institute and Sister Nilza informed the participants about the ongoing work to update the documents, “Formation Plan” (In the furrows of the Covenant) and “Guidelines for the Educative Mission”, united and connected by the theme of the Beatitudes.
Before lunch, the final Eucharist of thanksgiving was celebrated, while the afternoon was dedicated to the definition and evaluation of issues concerning the Province and to the proposal of a theme for the CGXXV.
The fraternal evening was an expression of the different cultures present in the Province, made up of 14 different Countries. It was an evening full of joy and laughter, in the true Salesian family spirit, with the exchange of gifts and expressions of gratitude to Mother Chiara and the General Councilors for their lively and cheerful presence among the Sisters.
Mother Chiara’s last words of thanks and encouragement concluded the SPR Triennial Verifica. In the following days, the Sisters embarked on their journey back to their respective countries and communities, enriched and stimulated by the experience and determined to open themselves to the Spirit. The presence of Mother Chiara, Sister Ruth, Sister Chantal, and Sister Nilza has strengthened the link with the whole Institute, to continue with more vigor the journey as FMA in the South Pacific Region.
Photos: Flickr FMA
