Rome, Saturday July 2, 2016
This morning, we were blessed to the Holy Mass celebrated by three newly ordained priests of our Religious Family, ordained on June 25 in Montefiascone. R.P. Jesús Javier Segura Garí, from Spain, presided, while the others concelebrated: Tobías Michael Eibl, from Germany, and Orzu Saidshoev, the first native-born priest in the history of Tajikistan, along with R.Fr. Alberto Barattero, Spiritual Father of the SSVM.
Fr. Tobias Eibl preached the homily.
At the end of the Mass, we had the rite of the veneration of the hands, by which tradition the hands of the newly ordained priests are kissed by the faithful. Afterward, the priests were able to join us for breakfast.
The morning work sessions focused on addressing the topics relating to the Contemplative Branch of our Institute.
María de las Mercedes Piña gave the first presentation. She is the Prioress of the Monastery “Ecce Homo” in Holand (“María, Puerta de la Aurora”). M. Mercedes presented an evaluation and the various proposals concerning the Contemplative Life, which had been previously studied in our monasteries. The three prioresses attending this General Chapter form the commission that represents all the monasteries in our Institute.
María Dolorosa Soler, Prioress of the Monastery “Santos Patronos de Europa” (Province, “Nuestra Señora del Pilar”) also gave a presentation. She offered an evaluation of certain practices of the Contemplative Life that have been under review over the past few years.
The afternoon sessions centered on the topic formation. M. Maria de Šiluva Mikalonis, Superior of the International Juniorate, “S. Teresa of Jesus”, presented some corrections of the Ratio Studiorum of the Institute, that had been pending for approval. Next, M. María Orante Pildain, Superior of the community of the Provincial House, “Nuestra Señora de Loreto” (Province of Italy-Albania) expounded on the topic of Permanent Formation for the religious members of the Institute.
María de la Contemplación Otermin, Superior of the Province “Nuestra Señora de los Dolores”, (Palestine, Israel, Jordan y Syria), express thoughts on the importance of formation for those who exercise positions in government.
When the afternoon sessions had come to a close, we had Eucharistic Adoration and chanted Vespers. M. María de la Confianza Rodríguez, Superior of the Juniorate, “St. Gemma Galgani”, of the Province “Nuestra Señora Aparecida” (Brazil) gave the Good Nights. She recounted the life of Bl. Odet Vidal de Olivera, who was born in Río de Janeiro and died of meningitis at only 9 years old, having offered his sufferings for the missions.
Afterward, we had a festive dinner prepared by the Province of “Nuestra Señora Reina del Cisne” (Ecuador). The missionaries from that province regaled us with typical plates, and projected a series of photos and videos of the different apostolates of the mission.
For tomorrow, July 3rd, there is no Chapter work planned, but the sessions will resume on Monday, July 4th, when the election of the new Superior General is to take place.
On Sunday, the free day, the Mothers will be able to take the opportunity to go on pilgrimage in Rome, other nearby places, or to visit the monasteries of our Institute in the province of Italy, namely, in Pontinia and Velletri.
María de Bethlehem Pinciroli
Official Spokesperson