Rome (Italy). On 13 February 2022, the day of the monthly commemoration of St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello, the 1st encounter of the virtual pilgrimage took place “Walking with you, Main”,
organized by the Salesian Family Sector of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with the aim of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the FMA Institute together with the Associations accompanied by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, to renew the family spirit typical of the Mornese origins, lived between consecrated women and laity.
The departure of the pilgrimage took place in three moments online by continents – Asia and Oceania; Europe and Africa; America – with a global participation of around 800 people.
The Mother General of the FMA Institute, Sr. Chiara Cazzuola, made herself present through a video-message, wishing the participants to experience this ‘holy journey’ by letting themselves be “fascinated and involved by the holiness of Mother Mazzarello and the first community of Mornese, a holiness that is so relevant today in a world thirsting for authenticity, freedom, and hope.”
Sr. Leslie Sándigo, General Councilor for the Salesian Family, welcomed them saying, “Entering this holy land is a great gift for all of us … and it is an experience of joy and emotion for many who see for the first time these places of origins and those of the growth of the Salesian charism. For others, however, it is perhaps a return after a visit made in the past and which certainly left an imprint and a bit of nostalgia, along with the desire to be able to repeat it.”
She then took up the metaphor of the journey and of wayfarers to encourage the laity with the words of Mother Mazzarello, “’Courage! Let us go forward with a big and generous heart ‘(L47). May these be the sentiments that accompany us along this stretch of road that we will travel together as a family, as a synodal Church, as a community, where we care for each other, regardless of distance, language, continent … because we are brothers and sisters of the same father, Don Bosco, and of the same mother who welcomes us, Mother Mazzarello.”
Meaningful was the prayer moment entitled “I give thanks for your love and your fidelity”, with the “San Bernardo” choir, directed by Mrs. Maria Dina Bertotti, Past Pupil of the FMA, from the chapel of the Immaculate Institute of the FMA Community of Novara, of the Piedmont Province of Mary Help of Christians (IPI). Mrs. Bertotti affirmed:
“Our being gathered from all over the world, speaks of the joy for the great things that the Lord has accomplished through all the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians of yesterday and today, who have given and who continue to faithfully give their life in service of the Gospel and of young people, in the style of the Salesian charism. Times are not easy, but the power of Love overcomes everything! Transforms everything and makes Love new! In a profound, mysterious but real communion, Don Bosco, Mother Mazzarello, all the Saints and Blesseds of the Salesian Family, are here with us. Heaven and earth are closer today!”
There will be eight stages of the pilgrimage, up to 22 May 2022, with various “Mornese stops” and content: at the Mazzarelli, “Life born of love”; at the Valponasca, “A gaze of life for all”; on via Valgelata, “Always reborn”; to the houses in the town, “Being homes for children”; at the College, “Heart speaks to heart”; in Nizza Monferrato, “The strength of your yes.”
The itinerary will end with the Marian dimension in the life of Mother Mazzarello. Each encounter, lasting 90 minutes, is conducted by a team made up of lay people and FMA. For simultaneous translations into five languages, a team of young university students has been set up who offer their volunteer service in a joyful and professional way.
This pilgrimage wants to be, both for lay people and for the FMA, a qualifying moment of their vocational journey, a stage of relaunching in the consecrated and Christian life, a reviving of the joy of belonging to a great charismatic family.
