Wrocław (Poland). From 9 to 13 June 2022, on the occasion of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the Presence of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Poland, the Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, together with the Visiting Councilors Sr. Paola Battagliola and Sr. Lidia Strzelczyk, visited the Polish Provinces of Mary Help of Christians (PLA) and Our Lady of Jasna Góra (PLJ).
From 9 to 11 June 2022, Mother Chiara visited the PLA Province. Mother and the Visiting Councilors reached the Provincial House of Wrocław in the late evening. On 10 June, they experienced a moment of welcome from the Community: the Provincial, Sr. Anna Szczęsna, together with the Animator of the House, Sr. Teresa Kalinowska, on behalf of the whole Province, expressed the joy of having Mother among them.
Later, Mother Chiara had meetings with the Provincial and then with the Provincial Council, in which she answered the questions prepared by the Councilors, especially regarding the role of the Council in the growth of the synodal style of animation and government.
At the end of the morning, they all went to the Church of Sts. Peter and Paul to participate, together with the Animators of the 21 communities of the Province and some FMA from the nearest Houses, in the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Fr. Jarosław Pizoń, Salesian of Don Bosco, former Provincial of the Province of St. John Bosco of Wrocław (PLO). In his homily, referring to the readings of the day and to the figure of the prophet Elijah, Fr. Jarosław dwelt on the symbolism of the red mantle of passion for the Kingdom, which Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello also had, and on the tenderness and sweetness of the Presence of God, which must also characterize our way of educating.
In the afternoon, in the hall of the Diocesan Center for Pastoral Care, Mother Chiara met with the Animators and with the Provincial Council. After the presentation of the communities with their specific mission by the Animators, Mother addressed her word to the sisters, underlining the indispensable role of the animator of the community as a presence that generates life. Later, there was the opportunity to ask her questions or for some advice.
The meeting concluded with Evening Prayer and the singing of the Magnificat, for all the graces received since the foundation of the FMA Institute. After dinner and a final greeting, Mother Chiara, with Sr. Paola, Sr. Lidia, and some sisters of the Council, made a brief visit to the historic center of the city.
On 11 June, Mother and the Visiting Councilors with the Provincial and the Sisters of the Provincial Council left for Łódź, to participate in the Celebrations of the 100th anniversary of FMA presence in Poland, on the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the FMA Institute.
Mother Chiara’s visit to the PLA Province brought much hope and was an invitation and encouragement to resume the journey of fraternity, faith, and trust in the plan of love of God the Father, Lord of history and of every heart.
