Tiruchirappalli (India). From 24 to 28 February 2025, the Triennial Verification of the PCI Interprovincial Conference of India took place in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, at the headquarters of Our Lady of the Snow Province (INT). The Verification was attended by the Provincials of the seven Indian Provinces, 17 FMA delegates, seven lay collaborators, and seven young women, one for each of the seven Provinces.
The presence of the Mother General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister Chiara Cazzuola; the Vicar, Sister María del Rosario García Ribas; the Councilor for Formation, Sister Nilza Fátima de Moraes; and the Visiting Councilor, Sister Celine Jacob, gave the meeting a sense of unity and family, strengthening the global dimension of the shared mission of the FMA in the world.
The symbolic representation, “The river of life”, offered by the INT Province during the opening ceremony on 24 January, accompanied the entire experience, highlighting the legacy of the Salesian Charism, with Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello represented as two streams from different landscapes that flow into a mighty river, symbol of life, renewal, and hope. The river’s course was presented as a symbol of the FMA mission, which crosses communities, educative institutions, families, and society, nourishing life wherever it flows.
At the culminating moment, the seven Provinces poured their water jars into a common vessel, symbolizing the unity and shared mission of the Provinces. This image was followed by the unveiling of a shell, which gave rise to a spring, symbol of the FMA mission that flows through the life of each Sister, helping to spread the love of God. Following the image of the river, in her opening discourse, Mother Chiara highlighted the vital role of the young people in carrying forward the Salesian charism and the importance of unity for continuous renewal.
Each day was dedicated to a theme of General Chapter XXIV, subject of liturgical animation, reflections of Mother, group work, and assembly. Each day, a Province presented its report with the summary of the responses from the Province verificas, with the elements that favored growth and those that need to be strengthened.
Presence that makes us listen
The first day was a call to deep listening, with the heart. Fr. Agilan Sarprasadam, SDB, Provincial of Tiruchirappalli, presided the Eucharist, echoing the call of Pope Francis: “Listening is the first essential ingredient of dialogue and good communication.” He also invited to recognize Mary as a model of listening and action. Prayer, sharing, and reflection throughout the day helped participants to recognize that a true service of authority and mission begins with a heart attentive to the needs of young people and the signs of the times, with active listening to accompany, understand, and act with love. The Province of Saint Thomas the Apostle (INM) in Chennai presented the answers on “listening presence”. The day ended with a prayer in honor of Saint Francis de Sales, on his Feast day.
Presence that walks together
On the 2nd day, synodality was spoken about, the call to walk together as Church and Salesian Family. Fr. Xavier Michael, SDB, Provincial Vicar of INT, in his homily placed the emphasis on the banquet of the wedding at Cana, urging to abandon oneself to Divine Providence and to trust in the transforming power of faith.
In her presentation “Synodality and the Educating Community”, Mother highlighted the role of mutual listening and collaboration, urging to strengthen the family spirit in Salesian education. The same theme was also emphasised in the day’s working sessions: the importance of fostering relationships based on trust, mutual encouragement, and willingness to learn from each other.
The INT Province presented answers on “presence that walks together” and shared some testimonies of young people, which show the beauty of walking together. The day ended with a reflection on the “Beatitudes” and with evening prayer.
Community presence “in outreach” and networked
Sunday 26 January, the day took on a special significance for the 76th Indian Republic Day. The Province of Mary Help of Christians of Calcutta (INC), animating the liturgy of the day, had participants wear the Indian tricolor headband, as a sign of solidarity and responsibility towards the nation. Fr. T. Xavier Terrance, Director of the St. Paul Seminary in Tiruchirappalli, presented Mary as a model of courage and solicitude. The patriotic celebrations continued with a solemn flag raising, a national dance, and a message from Sister Celine Jacob.
In her presentation, “Rekindling the missionary spirit”, Mother Chiara then encouraged to embrace synodality as a way of facing today’s challenges. After reflecting on the zeal of Don Bosco for evangelization, the participants focused on being “Church outgoing”, communities actively engaged in society, in the world. The report of Sacred Heart of Jesus Province in Bangalore (INK) highlighted the need to build strong networks of collaboration.
Integral Ecology
The theme of integral ecology marked the 4th day, with in-depth discussions on Laudato si’, in the direction of a renewed commitment to take care of the common home. The INM Province, in its liturgical animation, highlighted the elements of nature as principles of connection between faith and ecology. Fr. A. Patrick Jayaraj, Missionary of Saint Francis de Sales of Annecy, Provincial of the Province of South-East India, stressed in his homily the importance of the sense of integrity and interconnection, urging people to accept difficulties with hope and compassion towards themselves, others, and nature.
Continuing with the work, Mother brought a reflection on the spirituality of care, inviting to integrate ecological conversion in their own educative mission. The INC Province presented its answers on integral ecology, and then identified in assembly concrete guidelines for action to integrate ecological consciousness into education, pastoral work, and community life.
In the afternoon, the group went on pilgrimage to the Basilica of Our Lady of Poondi, where they prayed the Rosary for all the Provinces. In line with the theme of integral ecology, participants visited the Museum of the Holy Land and the Kallanai dam, ending the day with prayer for nature.
Celebration of gratitude
The concluding day, 28 January, was lived under the sign of gratitude. Fr. Andrew De Rose, Rector of the Seminary of São Paulo, revisited the three stages of discernment: attentive listening, presenting needs to God, and acting as a believer. The day continued with a reflection on the future of the Charism, which challenged to open up new ways of living the mission, without losing sight of its roots. The Vicar General then introduced the theme of the protection of minors and vulnerable adults. Sister Miriam and Sister Elizabeth Cyril enriched the assembly with their missionary witness of resilience, courage, and dedication in South Sudan.
The final report of Mother Chiara Cazzuola was followed by a solemn moment of mutual gratitude for the journey we made together, marked also by the release of volume 3 of the History of the FMA of India, written by the team led by Sister Philomena D’Souza.
The PCI Triennial Verification was not only a time of evaluation of the past, but a sacred space of renewal that rekindled passion for the mission, made deeper the sense of belonging, and encouraged to go forward with renewed hope and courage.
Photos: Flickr FMA
