With Mary, let your life shine in the light of Love

Rome (Italy). On 26 June 2022, in the Generalate of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Rome, the FMA of the Community of Mary Help of Christians (RCG) joined Sr. Maria Fisichella and Sr. Angela Marzorati in giving thanks to God for the 50 years of Religious profession, in the festive and involving atmosphere of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Foundation of the Institute.

The Eucharistic Celebration, with Liturgy and songs animated by the Community, was presided over by Fr. Carlo Maria Zanotti, a Salesian of Don Bosco, who in his homily recalled the Sunday readings, in particular the Gospel of Luke (9: 51-62). “A Word, in this fiftieth – and in this 150th – beautiful, demanding, because it is an invitation to continue to persevere in the firm decision to “walk with Jesus” towards Jerusalem! This path is the only one that can renew and revitalize us every day”.

He concluded by expressing his best wishes to Sr. Maria and Sr. Angela. “I would like to make Mother Chiara’s words resound, who in Circular 1014 writes. ‘In the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Institute, let us not forget the grace of the origins.’ She affirms, ‘Go, then, beyond (the 150th) with an eye to the future. It will make our faces and houses shine with beauty and freshness to intensify a sincere, cordial, collaborative fraternity; to color our mission with genuineness and pleasantness; becoming more and more the attractive signs of a Love that generates and regenerates. It will lead us to listen to and welcome again the voice of Mother Mazzarello, her invitation to the Sisters of that time and to us today, to the evangelical splendor of the essential, to the purity of love.’ May the Lord help us to be determined to follow Him, love Him definitively, and walk in the Spirit, according to the charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello; to be happy and become witnesses of the joy of belonging to the Lord Jesus”.

The Sisters honored pronounced the formula of consecration to God the Father, thanking Him for His gifts and for the call to follow Christ more closely in the religious family with the Charism of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello; to make themselves a gift to the little ones and the poor.

Before the final blessing, the Mother General, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, gave each one a lighted lamp as a sign of faithful vigilance, wishing, “May your lamp always burn before the Lord from evening to morning in perennial gratitude”.

The whole community, with Mother and the General Councilors, then experienced a time of celebration and gratitude for the life, vocation, and fidelity of Sr. Maria and Sr. Angela. Like the disciples of Emmaus, the women celebrated – interpreted by two sisters – told the Master about the journey of their life: the most salient facts, the surprising calls, the experiences, the encounters, the gifts, and the good achieved and received, the many children and young people entrusted to them, their families, focusing on the most recent stage, that of the Generalate, which they reached some years ago.

At the end of the presentation, Mother Chiara addressed her heartfelt words to them, “We have listened to your beautiful story. It is always fascinating to hear the story of each one and how, in each Sister, the Lord inserts Himself, works, accompanies (…). Thank you for your fidelity! It is true that fidelity is a gift from the Lord, but it is also the fruit of our personal collaboration, of our adherence to Him. You are a beautiful example for us, for many young sisters, who can look to you. … I think it is a gift that we can share, the joy of the fidelity of those who have lived and continue to live, and the prayer of those who are still on the way. Thank you, best wishes, and happy feast!”.

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