Casatenovo (Italy). On 8 December 2024, at the Auditorium of Casatenovo (Lecco), the ceremony for awarding the “Premio per la pace Graziella Fumagalli, Mother Erminia Cazzaniga, Sister Luisa Dell’Orto”.
“Promoting the culture and models of coexistence based on values of solidarity and fraternity” was the objective of the evening, largely achieved with the bestowal of the awards to Dr. Maria Teresa Reale, doctor in Abobo, Ethiopia; in memory of Maria Carla (Marica) Ara, a volunteer in Serbia; and Sister Flora Galbusera, Daughter of Mary Help of Christians, missionary for 64 years in Argentina.
The first citizens of Casatenovo, Sirtori, and Lomagna, Municipalities, promoters of the initiative; the leaders of the Lecchese Committee for Peace and Cooperation between Peoples, supporters of the Prize; and other personalities were present. In their interventions, they placed at the center the values of solidarity, the promotion of the rights of each person and of every people, respect for the various cultures, indispensable conditions for peace between communities and peoples.
The concert offered by the “Cantosospeso” choir with “Songs of Peace in times of war” favored the atmosphere of listening and an intercultural horizon. As the Councilor for culture and peace policies of Casatenovo, Gaia Riva, stressed, “Music is an echo of the message of solidarity and sharing embodied by the women celebrated.”
The event was attended by Sister Flora Galbusera’s niece, Sabina Magni; Sister Emilia Musatti, former Vicar General of the FMA Institute and Director of the Community of Contra di Missaglia, of the Lombardy Province Holy Family (ILO), with two sisters of the Community and Sister Armida Spada, Animator of the Community of Cinisello Balsamo with two other FMA.
Representing Sister Flora, Sister Emilia and her niece were present to receive the recognition from the hands of the Mayor of Lomagna, Cristina Citterio. The prize consists of a plaque and an economic contribution that will be used to renovate part of the building of Mary Help of Christians Community Center in Formosa of the Laura Vicuña Province (ARG), where the Aboriginal community finds a serene environment for human and spiritual growth through educative programs and workshops for youth and women.
With her words, Sabina expressed gratitude, also on the part of her sister, for this recognition, and thanked Sister Stefania Saccuman, Provincial of the ILO Province; Sister Sofia Calberaro, Animator of the community of Formosa, where Sister Flora has given her life among the aborigines in the suburbs of the city; and Sister Silvia Boullosa, Provincial of the ARG Province, who accompanies with affection Sister Flora, currently in a community for elderly sisters from where she continues to follow her beloved mission.
On behalf of the Institute, in particular the Superior General, Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Sister Emilia expressed gratitude for the recognition of the passion and the promotional and educative commitment of Sister Flora, especially at this time when the Institute is preparing for the 150th anniversary of the first missionary expedition, which took place in 1877.
“Since then, every year many Sisters, like Sister Maria Troncatti, also from the Lombardy region, who will soon be proclaimed a Saint, and Sister Flora, left their land to promote a dignified life for all, especially the poorest, in the name of the Lord Jesus. And, we are certain, where people are educated and promoted, conditions for peace and the future are laid.”
Sister Emilia continued with a reference to the intense life of Sister Flora, originally from Casatenovo and 29 years old, who left for Argentina, where she donated, together with the Sisters of her community, her best energies to the Community of Our Lady of Hope in Formosa, founded by her.
She concluded with the appeal to the young people present to accept the message of these strong testimonies by committing their lives for the poorest:
“Her life, which still offers love and witness in the land of her missionary gift, the light or lights that Sister Flora has lit and continues to light, indicates a way. We hope that someone from this land of yours and hers will receive its message, have the courage to give, like her, their lives, so that the poorest may know and realize the greatness and dignity that the Lord Jesus continues to give us. This is the way to give hope to peace in the hearts of people, families, and among peoples.”
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