Rome (Italy). On 18 October 2025, on the eve of the Canonization of Sister Maria Troncatti, more than 400 adolescents and young people from the Salesian Youth Movement, schools, professional training centers, and oratories, who came from all over Italy together with their FMA and SDB educators, were welcomed into the House of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Rome Cinecittà, of Saint John Bosco Province (IRO) to experience an afternoon of Salesian joy and prayer while waiting for the great event. Present also were the Superior General of the FMA Institute, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, with the General Councilors, and the Rector Major, Fr. Fabio Attard.
The atmosphere was immediately festive. Inside the courtyard, in addition to dancing, music, and acquaintances between participants from different territories and Provinces, several points had been set up in which to try their hand at both classic games designed by Italian entertainers and in an Ecuadoran style, to begin to enter the story of Sister Maria Troncatti and learn more about Corteno Golgi (BS) and the jungle of Ecuador, “WHERE” she lived and worked.
After an initial time of welcome and games, in which the FMA from the Houses of Rome and the Preprovince Mary Mother of the Church (RMC) also joined with the Animator, Sister Jessica Salvaña and Mother Emerita, Sister Yvonne Rengoat, the Novices, and the FMA from Ecuador, from other parts of Italy and the world for the Canonization, Mother Chiara and Fr. Fabio were invited on stage by the host, Manuel Carboni, educator and entertainer, for a brief greeting.
Mother Chiara recalled that the holiness of the Salesian family and of Sister Maria Troncatti “is a pleasant holiness,” taking up the expression of the Rector Major Fr. Egidio Viganò, and recalling those of Don Bosco who said, “Here, we make holiness consist in being very cheerful;” and Mother Mazzarello who said, “joy is a sign of a heart that loves the Lord very much.” Finally, she wished young people to have the experience “of living a pleasant, joyful, daily holiness, because the encounter with the Lord is truly an encounter of joy.”
Fr. Fabio shared his impressions after having explored the figure of Sister Maria, a serene woman, with “a disarming simplicity.” He underlined, in particular, the communicativeness of “that adult, serene, maternal, beautiful smile that makes one feel good.” He invited everyone to make friends with the Saints, our traveling companions who help us recover from falls along the journey of life.
Subsequently, the participants, divided into three groups, followed a path along three stands in which to delve deeper into “WHO” Sister Maria Troncatti was and her story. In the first stand, her vocation and departure for the mission were recounted, and through practical activities such as blindfolded routes in which to let oneself be guided by some companions and others. In the second, there was a theatrical moment and some questions, also personal ones, to reflect on her presence in Ecuador and her ability, despite the multiple difficulties of the place and of the populations in conflict, to counter hatred and to bring peace.
In the third, located in the Chapel of the House, Mr. Cosimo Cossu, Salesian Coadjutor who lived in the mission with her in Ecuador during her last years until her death, bore witness to the challenges she faced and the healing of the population, thanks to her interventions.
Once the stand activities were completed, the afternoon ended together in the courtyard, with a brief greeting from Juwa Bosco, miraculously healed by Sister Maria. The conviviality continued by sharing dinner and with some entertainment, before moving towards Don Bosco Temple for the prayer vigil.
Despite its large size, the church was full and silent. In addition to the afternoon participants, the people of Cortena, fellow citizens of Sister Maria Troncatti, and a delegation from the Diocese of Brescia with the Bishop, Monsignor Pierantonio Tremolada, were also present.
The vigil was simple and participatory, alternating gestures and words. In the second moment, the most relaxed testimony of Mr. Juwa Bosco was listened to. He recounted the incident and the miraculous healing, for which he continues to give thanks by repeating, “Nothing is impossible for God”.
The Rector Major, who presided over the moment of prayer, gave the young people three words describing the great missionary – determination, entrustment, donation – and encouraged them to follow the example of Saint Maria Troncatti, to move forward with determination, placing their trust in God, and without fear of giving themselves.
Photos: Flickr FMA
