Rome (Italy). On 6 August 2024 in Rome, at Holy Mary of Hope Parish of the Salesians of Don Bosco, eleven young women from the International Novitiates of Mary Help of Christians of Castelgandolfo (Rome) and Sister Teresa Valsè Pantellini of Rome made their first religious profession in the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
“Seeing Christ in every person” (C 56) was the motto of the New Professed Sisters belonging to the Italian Provinces of Holy Family (ILO), Mary Help of Christians (IPI), St. Mary Mazzarello (ITV), Our Lady of the Cenacle (ILS), and the Provinces of St. John Bosco Province (SLK) of Slovakia and Our Lady of Jasna Góra (PLJ) of Poland.
The Eucharistic Celebration, animated in song and liturgy by the Novices and several young FMA, was presided over by the Provincial of the Central Province (ICC) of the Salesians of Don Bosco, Fr. Stefano Aspettati, and concelebrated by SDB and priests who have accompanied the young women on their journey.
The Superior General, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, welcomed the Newly Professed into the FMA Institute. The Vicar, Sister María del Rosario García Ribas; the Councilor for Formation, Sister Nilza Fátima de Moraes; and some General Councilors; the Provincials, families, young people, and FMA from the Provinces of the Candidates were also present.
After the proclamation of the Gospel the Formators, Sister Maria Giovanna Mammarella and Sister Luisa Menozzi, presented the Novices making Profession and called them by name, while the Celebrant, at the culminating moment of religious profession, asked them if they were willing to give their lives to the Lord and live as the chaste, poor, and obedient Christ.
In his homily, the Provincial recalled the Gospel passage of the Beatitudes chosen by the young women (Mt 5:1-12a), saying: “You have chosen a very demanding Gospel, yet it is the heart of the Gospel for all those who want to follow it. However, it is not a sacrifice; that of the Beatitudes is a proposal for happiness.” Speaking of the “butterfly effect”, whereby an action in one part of the planet can produce a propagation of events, Fr. Stefano connected the ‘yes’ of Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, “in these two ‘flapping wings’ a vortex has been created, a storm of good. Two people who said ‘yes’ produced a work of God that caused a storm of love for all the young people of the world and it is lovely to think that today you are in this storm of love. A storm that is educating youth – and we know how stormy it can be to do this – yet it is a good thing, indeed very good thing, Don Bosco used to say.”
In concluding, his wish, “This road according to the Salesian charism shows us what paradise on earth is and you must show it with your life. I truly wish you to do so every day, with the joy that you have today. I wish you to walk alongside the young people entrusted to you and to accompany them as you go towards this very beautiful goal.”
After the homily, each one read the formula of Religious Profession, committing herself, in response to the Love of God the Father, to live the evangelical counsels according to the Constitutions of the FMA Institute.
Mother General bestowed the Constitutions and the Crucifix, signs of the spousal alliance with Christ. At the end of the Rite of Consecration, the New Professed entrusted themselves to Mary with the song ‘O Most Powerful Virgin Mary’.
The celebration ended with the expressions of gratitude of the new FMA to the Lord for the call to live this new life according to the Beatitudes; to the parents for the gift of life and education in the faith; to Mother and the Sisters of the Council; to the Novitiate Communities; to the Formators, for their accompaniment in these years and for the witness of dedication, especially to Sister Maria Giovanna who concludes her mandate; to the priests and FMA who have guided them along the way, to family members, friends, young people.
Mother Chiara Cazzuola wished to thank in a special way, on behalf of the Institute, the families “who have given us their greatest good” and recommend the newly Professed to all those present, “We are responsible for the fidelity of these Sisters, because today, before us, they have committed themselves, so we too are committed to accompany them on this journey.” And to them, this wish, “May you be happy and faithful FMA. You have written in your note the phrase of Don Bosco, ‘Have faith in Mary Help of Christians and you will see what miracles are’. I say it to you: trust in Our Lady and she will do everything in your life. Thank you for your gift!”.
Photos: Flickr FMA
