Rome, Monday July 11, 2016
Today, on the feast of St. Benedict Abbot, Patron of Europe, we had the grace of participating in the Holy Mass in the Basilica of St. Peter’s in the Vatican, celebrated by Rev. Fr. Agustín Ambrosini, IVE, over the altar that preserves the relics of St. John Paul the Great, Father of our Religious Family.
The assembly included the Chapter Mothers, the sisters who are generously assisting in the Chapter, and some of our religious from the various communities of the Province of Italy.
The Chapter Mothers presented a gift to St. John Paul II, in name of all the Servidoras: a small golden replica of the Cross of Matará, which remained upon the altar throughout the celebration, and which Rev. P. Agustín Ambrosini blessed at the end of the Holy Mass.
When the celebration of Mass had ended, M. María Corredentora and the Mothers of the General Council, presented the replica of the Cross of Matará to H.E. Card. Angelo Comastri, Archpriest of St. Peter´s Basilica and Vicar General for the Vatican City State.
After a moment of pleasant conversation about our Institute and its activities, Card. Comastri told the Mothers that the Cross of Matará will be placed in the Museum of the Treasury in the Vatican Basilica.
After the Holy Mass, some of the Chapter Mothers took advantage of the rest of the morning to go on pilgrimage in the city of Rome.
In the afternoon, the Chapter sessions resumed, beginning with the presentation of M. María de Pentecostés Hemmingsen, Local Superior of the Community, “Nuestra Señora de Luxemburgo” (Province “María, Puerta de la Aurora”), who spoke about the proposals (modos) regarding the Liturgy which had been submitted for study at this Chapter, as well as corrections to the Liturgical Rule and the Book of Devotions.
Next, M. María Corredentora Rodríguez, Superior General, presented some proposals regarding Formation that had been studied in the Province of Italy.
At the end of the sessions, various Commissions were formed so as to continue studying different proposals that remain pending during these days.
Afterward, we had Eucharistic Adoration and Vespers. The Good Nights were given by M. María Bonne Mère Enríquez, Provincial Superior of “Nuestra Señora Reina del Cisne”, in Ecuador. She spoke about the consecration of Ecuador to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, accomplished through the action of the President, gabriel García Moreno, along with the ecclesiastical authorities of country.
Dinner and recreation were organized by the Mothers from the Province of Brazil, “Nuestra Señora Aparecida“, along with the religious from Brazil that are on mission in Italy. In addition to the typical food, they showed photos from the foundations, offered traditional food and gave gifts.
M. María de Bethlehem Pinciroli
Official Spokesperson