Rome (Italy). The Vicar General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister María del Rosario García Ribas, wrote a Letter to the Provincials, the Superiors of Preprovinces, and all the FMA and the Educating Communities of the FMA Institute present in the five Continents, to share the place and theme of the Feast of Gratitude 2024, with indications for preparation and realization.
The World Feast of Gratitude 2024, will take place in Mozambique in Maputo Infulene on 26 April. It will be animated by the Mozambican Province “St. John Bosco” (MOZ) and will have as its theme:
With Mary, guided by the “dream”,
we generate peace by taking care of the Common Home.
The Letter expresses the motivation of the theme:
In response to the Chapter Resolution, in the context of Integral Ecology, the celebration of the World Feast of Gratitude is intended to be a hymn of praise. With the psalmist, we too proclaim: “O Lord, our God, you have given us power over the work of your hands” (cf. Psalm 8). We are invited to open our eyes and contemplate in the book of nature the majesty of the Lord our God. What else can one do in front of such a marvelous scene, if not to let oneself be enraptured and sing? The sky, the sea, the earth, the stars, the flowers, humans whom God made “little less than the angels”, speak to us of the very Author who created us.
The logo of the Feast, through some significant elements, recalls Mary, the prototype of caring, who embraces the world, the common home; the different faces of the young people of the five continents, that express the educational mission given to Johnny Bosco in the dream at nine years; the baobab, sacred tree, symbolizing life, powerful symbol of Africa that seems to unite heaven and earth, and which provides the people with nourishment and remedies for various ailments; the colors of the flag of Mozambique that represent the country with its riches, its history, and its commitment to peace.
In preparation for the event, the Mozambican Province proposes a four-week itinerary, with insights into the “taking care” of Mother Mazzarello in the 1st week; of Don Bosco in the 2nd week; of ecological education and spirituality in the 3rd week; and with the Lectio on the Beatitudes in the last week.
The webpage of the Festa Gratitude 2024, is in preparation, where you will be able to find the material for the preparatory journey divided into four weeks, the daily prayer, the indications, and the necessary information. In due course, you will find the link on the Institute’s website.
The Feast of Gratitude, an annual event that summons us to express gratitude to the Lord for every Sister, for the young people, and for those who share with us the educational mission, is a significant moment of family life for us, a sign of love and fidelity to the Institute. From the beginning of the preparation for this year’s Feast, we want to recognize the priceless gift that our dearest Mother, Sister Chiara Cazzuola, is for every Daughter of Mary Help of Christians and for the Educating Communities of the world.
Carissima Madre Chiara,
Grazie di cuore per la sua presenza amorevole e per la sua guida sapiente per il nostro Istituto. Presentiamo la nostra preghiera, insieme con tutte le sorelle del mondo, per lei and per la sua missione come Madre. Con affetto e preghiera.
Happy feast dear Mother, we thank God for the person you are and we prayed for you. May God bless your every intention 🙏
Happy feast dear Mother. We thank God for the person you are and we prayed for you. May God bless your every intentions.
Carissima Madre,
Grazie for your love, concern and care for all of us your daughters. We remember you with much love and gratitude for your guidance and support towards our growth and holiness. May the Lord bless and keep you ever in His love and care 💗
Buona Festa Madre Chiara!
Insieme con tutte le nostre sorelle di INK Bangalore vengo ad augurarti una Festa gioiosa . Prego ogni giorno per le sue intenzioni, ma oggi abbiamo pregato per Lei in modo speciale durante la celebrazione Eucaristica. Il Signore La benedica! La Madonna – la nostra Madre , Maria Aiuto dei Cristiani cammina con te in qualsiasi posto tu va, e sia la tua guida. Questa è la mia preghiera per te Madre.
Con tanto affetto e gratitudine,
Sr. Marietta Kaidathara
INK Bangalore, India
Bonne fête Mère Chiara, nous vous portons dans la prière et dans notre affection.
Muy querida Madre Chiara: Desde la casa Madre Mazzarello de Sevilla nos unimos con mucho cariño a esta Fiesta Mundial de la gratitud. La acompañamos cada día con nuestro recuerdo agradecido y con nuestra oración. Que el Señor y la Virgen le haga sentir la alegría de su donación generosa y constante. Gracias por su sonrisa que infunde paz y cercanía. Un abrazo grande de todas. En su nombre Sor Marisa.
Che gioia incontrare la Madre nella terra della mia missione!
Grazie Madre Chiara per aver scelto Mozambico per il GRAZIE di quest’anno. Maria Ausiliatrice l’accompagni e le faccia gustare il buon cuore della nostra gente. L’aspettiamo Madre! E con la preghiera ci prepariamo all’incontro che ci renderà ancora più famiglia. Grazie di cuore Madre Chiara.
Agradeço a Deus que me chamou nesta família como FMA. Hoje gozo da festa mundial na minha terra. É graça sobre graça . Obrigada Madre Chiara por ser aquela mãe que hoje o Instituto precisa : simples, alegre, próxima, jovem e bela!
Sono grata al Dio della vita perché mi regalato il dono della vocazione salesiana e per mezzo di questo sono partecipe di questa grande famiglia. Grazie madre Chiara per la tua testimonianza di risposta di servizio dell’Istituto.