Cumiana (Italy). On 5 May 2024, in Cumiana, Turin, was the celebration of the centenary of her birth into heaven of Mother Caterina Daghero, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians. She was born in Cumiana on 7 May 1856, died in Nizza Monferrato (AT) on 26 February 1924, after 43 years of animation and government as Superior General of the FMA Institute, succeeding Mother Mazzarello.
On behalf of the Superior General of the Institute, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, on a visit to Mozambique, the Vicar General, Sister María del Rosario Garcìa Ribas, participated in the Feast Day. In the morning, together with the Animator, Sister Roberta Berton, the FMA of Immaculate Mary Community of Cumiana, the Provincial of Mary Help of Christians Province (IPI), Sister Emma Bergandi with part of her Council, reached the Parish of Holy Mary of the Motta for the Eucharistic Celebration in her memory. Present to welcome them were the parish priest, Fr. Carlo Pizzoccaro, the authorities, including the Mayor, Dr. Roberto Costelli, Past Pupils, members of the Salesian Family, and numerous parishioners, including children, young people’ and families.
In her greeting, the Vicar General, thanking those who contributed to the organization of the celebratory events, stressed the importance in the formation of Caterina Daghero of the industrious example of the local people and her family, where she “breathed a simple, strong, and trusting faith in God the Creator, who takes care of His children.”
She continued by saying, “In Cumiana, she met a parish and civil community that accompanied her in the knowledge of Jesus. Precisely in this social context, she learned solidarity and civil virtues. Today we are remembering a humble and wise woman, deeply rooted, who, by widening the horizon of her life, contributed to the formation and growth of a religious family present in five continents, putting into practice with resourcefulness the activity of charity at the service of the common good. An example of a successful life, consigned and dynamic, which has much to say especially to the young generations thirsting for true models sometimes without knowing it.”
Even the FMA Past Pupils, at the end of the Eucharist, highlighted some virtuous values and ways of working, such as the synodal style, the enhancement of the ‘feminine genius’, and collaboration with lay administrations of various kinds.
They ended by assuming her mandate: “Mother Caterina Daghero, from 1882 to 1923, visited the houses of the Institute in Italy, France, Belgium, England, Spain, Palestine, Africa, America, where she stopped for about two years, faithful to her own principle of animation. ‘We must see with our own eyes, touch with our own hands’. And today too, this parish community of ours sees with its eyes and touches the fruit of this courageous apostolate in the FMA mission in Cumiana. Now, aware of the precious root from which the good fruits of the Spirit continue to ripen, it is up to us to reappropriate a charism and a mission that promise an ever-richer future of the Gospel. Consoling, giving life, listening to the breath of the heart, and pointing to heaven, behind Mother Catherine, children of the same earth, in the joy of Easter, we resume the journey!”
Upon returning to the Community, waiting for them was the town band, “Vittorino Dovis”, which cheered the moment with joyful music, before the well-kept and creative buffet prepared by the young students of CIOFS-FP Piemonte.
In the afternoon, the Feast continued with the institutional greetings, the songs of the Kindergarten children, and the theater workshop “Get as far as you can” of the children of the Oratory, with a beautiful participation of the educating community, many FMA, grand nieces and nephews of Mother Daghero and of the whole town.
Sister María del Rosario, together with Sister Roberta, the Provincial, and some Provincial Councilors, were then able to visit the village of her Birth Home, near the hamlet of Dagheri. From there, on May 7, the day of the birth of Caterina Daghero, a torchlight procession took place with several stages in memory of the Baptism of Catherine and of each of the participants, invited to witness their faith in daily life.
These two events are part of a wider program of commemorations on the occasion of the Centenary. The first took place in Nizza Monferrato, on 24 February, with the Conference “Mother Caterina Daghero: from Nizza to the world with far-sighted perspectives” held in Nizza Monferrato at the FMA Institute of Our Lady of Grace.
On 19 April, at the FMA House in Cumiana, the round table “Roots in heaven: history and intertwining of encounters”was held with the interventions of Sister Piera Cavaglià, Professor emerita of the Pontifical Faculty of Education Science “Auxilium” of Rome, the Mayor, and the parish priest of Cumiana.
On 8 June in Rome, at the Generalate of the FMA Institute, there is planned the Study Conference dedicated to her entitled, “The Long Government of an Educational Institute (1881-1924)“, organized by the Center for Studies on the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of the “Auxilium” Faculty in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the FMA Institute. For the Centenary, the new biography was also published, edited by Angela Bertero,“The courage to dream the future”.
