The Solemnity of All Saints, which celebrates those who lived out Christ’s love to the fullest, was a day filled with grace and hope for us.
With the admission of Sister Piergrazia Licandro to the Company of the Daughters of Charity, the Province of Saint Vincent in Italy has joined the Interprovincial Seminary alongside the Provinces of Spain. This marks a new step and a sign of the Spirit opening pathways for communion and collaboration among our European communities.
At a time when the decline in vocations and differences between European Provinces can sometimes make us feel lost, this new path is a source of deep joy and confidence for us. Once again, the Word of God reaches us as a living promise:
″For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland″. (Isaiah 43:19)
The celebration of Sister Piergrazia’s admission, which took place at the Provincial House in Rome, was marked by a climate of prayer and fraternity.
The community of the Interprovincial Seminary of Spain was joined by young sisters and several sisters from different Italian communities. Present as well were Sr. Visitación García, the Visitor of the Northern Spain Province and coordinator of the Provinces of Spain, along with Sr. Maria Rosaria Matranga, the Visitatrix of the Province of Italy. Additionally, some Provincial Councillors, the Secretary, and the Treasurer were in attendance.
The presence of General Counsellors Sister Luisa Farri and Sister Antonia González was especially meaningful, as they celebrated this moment of grace with us. Their participation, along with the memory and closeness of the Superior General, Sr. Françoise Petit, made us feel the concrete presence of the entire Company, accompanying and supporting us in this step of communion.
The day was truly an “Ephata,” meaning “open up,” inviting us to embrace the newness of the Spirit confidently.
The day was further enriched by the commencement of Elena Follini’s postulancy, symbolising the abundance of God’s gifts.
Given the strong vocational emphasis of the day, we chose to share this experience with several young women who are currently on their discernment journeys, transforming it into a true celebration of vocation.
The day before the feast served as a time for preparation, during which we experienced a profound spiritual communion. Fr. Nicola Albanesi, CM, led a guided meditation focused on the theme of holiness. He reminded us that self-giving is the path that makes us receptive to the action of grace and allows us to become guardians of the Spirit. Elena’s vocational testimony, along with the adoration and vocational prayer, helped everyone immerse themselves in an atmosphere of listening and gratitude for the gift of their calling.
They were simple yet profound moments that fostered a genuine encounter with the Lord and with one another.
The days were filled with a spirit of fraternity, simplicity, sharing, and joy. We discovered that language differences were not a barrier but rather a richness that enhanced our sense of community.
Everything culminated in a festive lunch, symbolising our shared joy and gratitude for what the Lord is doing among us.
With confidence, we entrust this new interprovincial journey to the Lord, hoping it will yield fruits of communion, hope, and renewed vocational vitality for the entire Company.
