Limerick (Ireland). On 30 August 2023, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of Our Lady Queen of Ireland Province (IRL) celebrated the 50th anniversary of their presence in Dún Íde, Limerick.
For the occasion, the Sisters who were part of this presence were invited to the Holy Mass of thanksgiving and grateful memory, especially for Sister Bridget Dowling, who was the first Animator and the only one still alive of the first Community of 11 FMA. Sisters who could not be present were also remembered so that they would feel supported in prayer.
The citation from the Irish poet John O’Donohue, quoted in the Celebration booklet, summarizes the synergy between the Sisters and the house:
We give thanks for the gifts it brought
and how they inlaid whitin
where neither time nor tide can touch them.
Fr. John Horan, Salesian of Don Bosco, concelebrated the Eucharist with Fr. Sean Slattery, a friend and close to the Community since 1972. Also present was Sr Bridget O’Connell, IRL Provincial, who spent 21 years of her religious life in this Community.
The candles of Gratitude, Passion, and Hope were lit during the candle lighting ceremony, inspired by the words of Pope Francis, “Look to the past with gratitude, live the present with passion, embrace the future with hope.”
The words of the Foundress, Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello were also recalled, “remember to pray for our departed Sisters often and never forget the needs of our dear Congregation” (L 42). A memorial candle was lit as the names of the 19 deceased sisters of the House were read.
In his homily, Fr. John Horan said that the words written by Saint Mother Theodora Guerin, founder of the Sisters of Providence, on the occasion of the opening of a new Mother House in 1853, would have been just right for the FMA Provincial, Sr. Margaret Lynch, when the FMA arrived in Dún Íde, “Grant, oh my God, that all those who live in this house may love You very much, love each other, and never forget why they came here”. He then suggested reversing the sentence on the occasion of the 50th anniversary, “We thank you, O God, because all those who have lived in this house have loved You very much; they have loved each other; and they have never forgotten the reason why they came here”.
And he continued, “In fact, today we are celebrating all of you who have given your soul to this House. Who have brought love, warmth, vitality, creativity, and great commitment to the ministries of this place. You have brought these qualities with a special tonality, following in the footsteps of Saint Mary Mazzarello and Don Bosco, and under the protection of the Our Lady”.
After Holy Mass, those present experienced a time of fraternity together, with afternoon tea enlivened by memories shared with great trepidation and with a surprise lottery, in the spirit of the Salesian family. The FMA were also able to consult a booklet on the origins of the house, collected from the Chronicles by Sister Sarah O’Rourke, Animator of the Community.
This celebratory gathering was a beautiful time of Salesian celebration under the banner of simplicity and joy that makes one exclaim, “It is good for us to be here”. While it continues the journey of discernment, the Province is accompanied by prayers that the FMA may continue to “love God very much, love each other, and never forget why they came here”.
