Rome (Italy). On 8 December 2024, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary is celebrated, particularly dear to the Salesian Family because Don Bosco brings back to this date the origin of his work, with the first Ave Maria recited together with Bartholomew Garelli.
For the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, this feast recalls, among other things, the origin of the Institute in that first nucleus of young women called “Daughters of the Immaculate”. Not only, the Institute’s Cronistoria notes the singular contemporaneity of the birth in Valdocco of the “Company of the Immaculate”.
Sister Maria Troncatti (1883 – 1969), FMA Blessed, whose decree recognizing the miracle attributed to her intercession was recently la authorized for publication, also had a special bond with Mary Immaculate.
In 1897, Monsignor Cellerino Testini, parish priest of Corteno Golgi, the native town of Sister Maria, founded the association of the Daughters of Mary, to which she, fourteen years old, adheres with enthusiasm.
In 1925, during the journey to Macas, the small group of Missionaries carried the image of the “Purissima” which they wanted to bring back there. Sister Maria turns to the Virgin to ‘operate’ on the daughter of the Chief of the Shuar and extract the bullet that had struck her. It was not the only event in which a unique bond between the missionary and Our Lady is noted.
Sister Maria taught and transmitted to all her love for Mary. This is confirmed by numerous testimonies. Mrs. Gregoria is 11 years old when she meets Sister Maria and attends the mission house for many years. She states, “As I sewed, she said to me, ‘Try to make every stitch an act of love for God. In the morning when you get up, try to offer something during the day to the Virgin, and at night examine yourself and see if you have satisfied Him. Try to abstain from anything during the day, for the love of God. If they offend you, do not answer. Be silent, bear it for the love of God’.”
Mrs. Dolores is twenty-two years old when she meets Sister Maria and is close to her on several occasions, accompanying her among the Chivari and acting as interpreter when Blessed Maria is in Macas. She recounts, “Her advice filled my soul with comfort; her words radiated a light of fervor and love for Jesus and the Virgin. Her favorite phrase was, ‘Love the Virgin very much; it will get you out of any tribulation, but have charity with your neighbor’.
During a trip, in the distance voices and noises are heard and, as we get closer, they become more alarming. We began to be afraid. Then I started to shout in the Shuar language, ‘Attention! Be careful! She is not a soldier; she is a Sister. God sends her to us.’ Hearing these words in their language, they realized who we were; they calmed down and let us in. But in this confusion, I heard Sister Maria repeat, ‘Immaculate Virgin, Mary Help of Christians, save us!’ She exhorted us, ‘Let us trust in the Most Holy Virgin! She will save us’.
Her steadfastness and great devotion were impressed on me. It has helped me to increase my faith and trust in such a good Mother. Today I am already 79 years old and I keep alive the memory of her great virtues. She was a saint! It is my desire and I ask God that soon she may ascend to the honors of the altars, in order to have her sure intercession in Heaven.”
Sister Sarlota Nieto, who had come to Macas with Sister Maria as a novice and lived with her for 17 non-continuous years relates:
“The rosary was the favorite prayer of Sister Maria Troncatti. Her day was spent sowing Hail Marys and participation in the rosary of dawn a sacred duty, a delight for her soul in love with the Virgin Mary.
She said, ‘As the religious that we are, we must set a good example’. For this reason, she was the first to go to the rosary of dawn in the company of the two sisters who made up the community.
She instilled this devotion and love for the Virgin under the title of “Purissima” to all those who approached her to tell her their pains and their sufferings. She made them pray and said to them, ‘We must always rely on God and the Immaculate Conception; they can meet all our needs.’
Loving the Lord and living united to Him through prayer and work for the salvation of souls, was the life of Sister Maria and she has infused us with this through her word and with her example.”
Mrs. Zoila says, “Sister Maria was our physician, both materially and spiritually. She said to us, ‘We must pray. Let’s not worry… Go in peace… The Lord will fix things… The Virgin, our Mother, is here to help us, to obtain grace from Our Father.’ Sister Maria was a woman of deep faith and she instilled in us this love for God and the Blessed Virgin.
The mission was like our home. All of us, as a family, went to her for every need. Going to the rosary at dawn on Saturday morning, we always found Sister Maria already gathered in fervent conversation with Jesus and Mary, and this increased our confidence in her prayer. Our trust continues today, so that her prayer may continue to intercedes for us.”
Grazie per questa bella testimonianza
Es entusiasmante leer esos testimonios tan elocuentes sobre el amor a María en la vida de Sor María Troncatti. En nuestra misión, especialmente hoy, se valoran más los hechos que muchas palabras, que también son necesarias. Gracias !
El trabajo más noble y loable es el que realizan las misioneras. Y tods nuestras Salesianas. Buscando en cada niño y niña el amor a Dios y enseñando el verdadero amor a Dios. Que nuestra Beata Sor María Troncatti siempre las anime a seguir adelante de la mano del Santísimo y que nos ayude a todos a buscar siempre la felicidad junto alnpadre celestial.
Nuestras hermanas misioneras que nos precedieron y se adelantaron a la casa del cielo nos dejan este hermoso ejemplo de amor a la Santísima Virgen María. Que sor Troncatti con nuestra madre Inmaculada intercedan por la paz en las familias y en el mundo.