Rome (Italy). On 30 October 2024, in the proximity of the Solemnity of All Saints and towards the official opening of the Jubilee, the General Secretariat of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians invites to a moment of reflection and prayer online on the theme, “Pilgrims of hope in the furrow of FMA holiness”.
As in previous years, some characteristic traits of the FMA candidates to the altars will be highlighted. This year, we will dwell on the theological virtue of Hope that was lived in different exemplary ways by Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello, Blessed Laura Vicuña, Blessed Maddalena Morano, Blessed Maria Troncatti, Blessed Eusebia Palomino, Blessed Maria Romero, Blesseds Maria Carmen Moreno Benitez and Maria Amparo Carbonell Munoz, Venerable Laura Meozzi, Venerable Teresa Valsè Pantellini, the Servant of God Antonietta Böhm, the Servant of God Rosetta Marchese.
The voices of young people, the words of Pope Francis on Hope, the intervention of Mother Chiara Cazzuola, the report of Sister Francesca Caggiano, Vice Postulator of the Causes of the FMA Institute, and a concluding prayer are the contents of the encounter.
Pope Francis affirmed in a general audience in 2017, “On the day of our Baptism we heard the invocation of the saints. Many of us at that time were babies, carried by our parents. Just before performing the anointing with the oil of the catechumens, symbol of God’s strength in the fight against evil, the priest invited the whole assembly to pray for those who were about to receive Baptism, invoking the intercession of the saints. That was the first time in our life we were given this company of ‘elder’ brothers and sisters – the saints – who have passed through our same path, who have known our own labors and now live forever in the embrace of God. The Letter to the Hebrews defines this company that surrounds us with the expression ‘multitude of witnesses’ (12,1). The saints are a multitude of witnesses.”
The Catechism of the Catholic Church recalls that, “The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration for happiness which God has placed in the heart of every person” (art. 1818). Thus, we can feel these Sisters not only close, but companions on the pilgrimage of life. Through their intercession, they obtain the graces that are needed, but above all, they help us to live the daily journey of adherence to the Gospel and the mission that has been entrusted to each one.
“The prayer of the humble penetrates the clouds, until it has come, it is not content; it does not give up until the Most High has intervened, satisfying the righteous and restoring fairness” (Sir 35, 17 – 18). With this confident certainty, asking for the intercession of these Sisters means having “guarantors”, allies who can support a fragile faith. If it is difficult to believe, you can entrust your own requests to those who have already been tried by life.
The moment of prayer and reflection will be broadcast on the YouTube channel of the FMA Institute on Wednesday, 30 October at 18.00 (Rome time) and will remain available.
Gracias, estaré atenta para conectarme.
Gracias por esta maravillosa oportunidad de conocer a fondo la vida y obra de estas FMA y aprender de su ejemplo.