Mother Chiara Cazzuola’s visit to the Province SPA

Madrid (Spain). From 15 to 20 February 2024, the Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, visited some Houses of Mary Help of Christians Province (SPA) and went on pilgrimage to the places linked to Blessed Eusebia Palomino, FMA, on the occasion of the celebration of the Centenary of her Religious Profession and the 20^th anniversary of her Beatification (25 April 2004 -2024).

Arriving from Rome with Sister María del Rosario García, Vicar General and first Provincial of the Province, the tenth successor of Mother Mazzarello was welcomed on 14 February at Barajas Airport, Madrid, by the Provincial Sister María Rosario Ten, and the Sisters of the Council.

Her visit coincided with the beginning of the Lenten journey. In addition to knowing for the first time the places where Eusebia Palomino developed her Christian vocation and lived as a Salesian educator, Mother Clare shared greetings, moments of prayer and celebration with the Sisters, young people, children, educators, members of the Salesian Family, and Referents for the provincial services. With her closeness and simplicity, she communicated hope and joy to all those who approached her, especially to the elderly and sick Sisters of the houses she visited.

The day of February 15, began with the Eucharist in the Chapel of Mary Help of Christians School of Villaamil, in Madrid, presided over by Fr. Fernando García, Salesian of Don Bosco, Provincial of the Province of St. James the Greater (SSM). Subsequently, Mother Chiara met with the Provincial and the Sisters of the Council, with whom she was able to share the journey taken by the Province in the last 7 years, significant processes, strengths, and future projects.

In the afternoon, after greeting the Sisters of Saint Teresa Residence in Madrid, she went to CES Don Bosco University Center, where she was welcomed with dances, music, and words on behalf of the whole Educating Community. She then met with the FMA of the Madrid Communities. In the evening, there was a Night of Art and Prayer entitled, “Seeds of Holiness”, which reflected the Holiness of some Sisters. With live music, gestures, silence, dance, and art, the Communities gathered around Mother.

On 16 February, she left for Cantalpino, the birthplace of Sister Eusebia Palomino, where she experienced the atmosphere of poverty in which the Palomino Yenes family lived and, above all, her solid faith in God. She then continued on to Salamanca, where she was welcomed by the students of the St. John Bosco School, met with the FMA in the area, and shared a meal with the Sisters, the members of the Salesian Family, and the Educating Communities of Salamanca, Béjar, León, and Burgos. In the evening, she visited the part of the city linked to the period spent there by Sister Eusebia, from 1917 to 1922.

On 17 February, Mother went to Sarriá, Barcelona. There she was welcomed by the FMA of several houses in Spain, by the members of the Salesian Family, who on that day celebrated the annual meeting of the area, the educators, the youth of the SYM, the provincial staff…  She also saw the Gironella Tower with its history. It is the first Salesian house in Spain and the place where Sister Eusebia made her novitiate and her first religious profession. The celebration of the Eucharist followed. In the afternoon, after visiting the Sagrada Familia, the famous Sanctuary symbol of the city, and Can Prats, the house where Don Bosco resided in 1886. There she gave the Good Night transmitted in direct streaming.

On Sunday 18 February, Mother went to Seville. In the house of Sanlúcar la Mayor, she had a meeting with the Sisters, who shared the joy of being Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and of being with Mother. The celebration of the Eucharist was followed in the presence of the members of the provincial services, the Directors of Schools, of social platforms, the animators of leisure time, and the Salesian Family. After lunch, she continued her pilgrimage to Valverde del Camino, where she visited the oratory of Sister Eusebia and other significant places, following a prayer itinerary led by the members of the Educating Community.

The day of 19 February began with the Eucharist in the parish of Nuestra Señora del Reposo in Valverde del Camino. She then met the painter Manuel Parreño, author of the painting of Sister Eusebia painted miraculously. Upon arriving at the school, she had some time for personal prayer and then greeted all the students. After, she continued her visit to Seville. In Seville, Mother Chiara met the Sisters of Mother Mazzarello Nursing Home. In the afternoon, she visited Sister Eusebia House, which celebrates 25 years since its opening. Located in a neighborhood on the periphery, it is a very significant work in responding to the needs of the most vulnerable and poor. At the end of the day, she went to Sanlúcar la Mayor to meet the Animators.

On 20 February, she concluded her Visit in the Spanish Province with a Formation day with the Community Animators, which began with the Eucharist presided over by Fr. Fernando Miranda, Provincial of Mary Help of Christians Province (SMX). After the prayer and the greeting of the Provincial, Sister María Rosario Ten, they reflected together on the theme: “For a more generative and synodal service”. Then as a gesture, they planted an almond tree in the garden of the house of Sanlúcar la Mayor. The day ended with Mother Chiara’s last Good Night and a time of fraternal sharing.

The experience of the encounter with Sister Eusebia Palomino, the main objective of this Visit, was enriched in every place with detail and depth with the welcome of the people, the symbols, the songs, the spaces of prayer. Mother Chiara will bring with her, in mind and heart, some beautiful memories: “the hut” of the Palomino Yenes family, “the paradise of Eusebia where she learned many beautiful things“; the first image of Mary Help of Christians whom she met in Salamanca and who nourished her hope of being all for the Lord; the coffee grinder she used in the kitchen while working with the Sisters.

Of Barcelona-Sarriá, she will remember the first house of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Spain, testimony of the life of dedication, prayer, and the first profession of Sister Eusebia. Also, the rooms of Can Prats, where Don Bosco had the missionary dream that marked the expansion of the Salesians and Salesian Sisters in the world. Of Valverde, the educational and simple presence of Sister Eusebia who, with the sound of the bell, reminded the girls of the oratory of “the voice of God“; and the room where she stayed with a family when religious persecution began in Spain.

The Province of Spain expresses its gratitude to Mother Chiara for her visit, for her presence among them “today”.  “You are for all of us ‘like the blossoming branch of an almond tree’. May the Lord bless all that you have planted in the Institute and may it, with Mary’s help, flourish and bear fruit in due time. Thank you!”.

Photos: Flickr FMA