Brastislava (Slovakia). On 5 August 2024, of the Anniversary of Foundation of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother General, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, reaches all the FMA through a video-message from Bratislava, where she is on a brief visit to the Province of St. John Bosco (SLK).
“We are celebrating 200 years since the dream that Johnny had at the age of nine, a dream that, Don Bosco said, remained imprinted in his mind throughout his life. From that dream originates the life and history of the Salesian charism in the world.
I think that each of us also feels it – this dream – at the origin of our own life choices as something beautiful, great, as a special grace that has illuminated and guided our own path.
My wish for this August 5th is to be in line with what we are celebrating, taking inspiration from the fact that we are in the year 2024, special because 24!”.
Mother then contextualizes the Message by talking about the not easy historical situation faced by Slovakia and the evolution of the FMA Institute in this country:
“It is a Province of hope and courage, open to a promising future, which makes one think a lot about the verse of the Gospel of John 12: 24: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.”
In fact, the vitality of the present in Slovakia has its roots in the past of suffering and offering of many of our Sisters who with courage, I dare say with heroism, have been able to remain faithful to the call of Jesus, strong in an unshakeable faith, passionate about the beauty and richness of the Salesian charism entrusted to them”
She then recalls the homily given by Don Bosco on 5th of August 1872 in the celebration of the First Profession of Mother Mazzarello and the first Daughters of Mary Help of Christians – in which he speaks of the nard plant – and invites to read it from the first volume of the Chronicle, “because it outlines a very current program of life that, perhaps at times, we may forget. I think it is the price, the guarantee, of fidelity and vocational fruitfulness still today in every part of the world”.
She concludes the Message with the wish:
“We welcome with an open heart the words of our Founder as a gift that he gives us on this 5th of August 2024. I am certain that, together, we can transform them into life in a time of strong challenges for the Church and society. Challenges that we want to take on as new opportunities to make the charism of Valdocco and Mornese shine in our educating communities and in the lives of young people.
I wish all the Provincials who take office this month to always look to Mary, Mother and Teacher, the powerful Help so that they may be inspired by Her in living their mission at the service of the Sisters and the young people.
May Mary support our communities that are most tested and suffering for various reasons, implore God for peace for humanity; stop the horrors of war in many areas of the world. May she give the new generations the strength and hope to build a better future.
May Mary, the Woman of the unconditional yes, guard the faithfulness of all of us, so that we can be living stones of the “Living Monument” of Don Bosco’s gratitude to Her who is our Mother and who still today continues to tell us: “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5).
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the good you give every day. I bless you and accompany you with my prayers”.
Thank you so much Mother for the heart to heart message.
Grazie, Madre, sai rigenerare gioia. desiderio e impegno sempre maggiori di essere FMA. Grazie!
GRAZIE Madre! Bellissimo ed efficace il tuo messaggio: ci arriva al cuore! Siamo in comunione con le care Sorelle di Slovacchia e le ringraziamo per la loro storia “sacra” e per la loro vita! Senti la nostra presenza di affetto e gratitudine. Auguri per i prossimi viaggi!
Que bonito mensaje a sus Hermanas en el mundo, con diferentes desafíos culturales, económicos; en tierras diferentes y en las Misiones. Felicidades
Grazie Madre Chiara. Si sente nel suo messaggio tanta passione salesiana, tanta fiducia e speranza anche nelle nuove forze delle Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice, ma anche tanta preoccupazione. Vinca la nostra forza vocazionale che trova le sue origine in quel misterioso sogno che poi si è svolto e realizzato nel tempo e ancora è un seme fecondo. Grazie per la sua esortazione! Buona festa e tanta fiducia!
AUGURI Cara Madre e a tutte le Figlie di Maria Ausiliatrice. Don Bosco e Madre Mazzarello Vi Proteggano sempre. W DON BOSCO W MADRE MAZZARELLO 🌿🙏🕊️ GRAZIE💖💐
Happy Feast. Happy to be the living monument of Don Bosco’s gratitude to Mary Help of Christians.
Boas Festas do Instituto e muito obrigada Madre Chiara
Grazie carissima Madre, siamo felici perché il Signore e la Madonna, continuano a benedire il nostro Istituto. Grazie per tutte quelle Sorelle che sono alle radici del Monumento vivo di gratitudine di Don Bosco all’Ausiliatrice. Santa Festa!