Festivities for Sr. Maria Troncatti FMA, the newly Beatified Daughter of Mary Help of Christians
The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, (Salesian Sisters) from the Province of St. Mary Mazzarello, Mumbai (INB) celebrated the Beatification of Sr. Maria Troncatti with a solemn and festive Eucharistic concelebration on the 7th Dec. 2012 at the Shrine of Don Bosco’s Madonna, Matunga, Mumbai with Rev. Fr. Ian Doulton sdb, Rector of Don Bosco, Matunga as the main celebrant. Numerous young people, members of the Educating community, Salesian Cooperators, friends, parents, well-wishers and FMAs from the different centres of the Province including the Provincial and her Council were present to honour, rejoice, relive and recall the marvels of our saintly protagonist, Sr. Maria Troncatti, as we joyously celebrated her holiness.
Sr. Maria Troncatti, a missionary and crusader of love for the least was declared “Blessed” on 24 November 2012 at the hallowed spot of Macas, Ecuador, the seat of the Apostolic Vicariate of Méndez. Cardinal Angelo Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints represented the Pope there and conducted the ceremony.
Leaving her beloved country, Italy, Sr. Maria left for the mission land Ecuador in 1922, never to return back again. She was sent to work among the Shuar people (Ecuador) where, together with two other Sisters began the difficult task of evangelization and education.They were surrounded by perils of every kind, including those caused by the beasts of the deep jungles of Amazon. Fast flowing rivers had to be waded through or crossed on fragile “bridges” made from creepers or on the shoulders of the Red Indians!
Sr. Maria Troncatti made herself all things to all people as she reached out as a nurse, surgeon, orthopedist, dentist and anesthetist. She was ready to go not only to the sick but also to those who needed help and hope. She shared her rich resources of faith, patience and fraternal love.
Sr. Maria Troncatti was affectionately called Madrecita “little mother” by all the people who had experienced her immense loving kindness and who found solution to their every problem in the light of her experience.
Her work for the promotion of the Shuar tribe bore fruit in hundreds. Great was the love she had for the poor which spurred her to commit her entire life for their upliftment. Her remarkable virtues such as her granite faith, spirit of sacrifice and dedication to the mission were truly inspirational.
“A look at the crucifix gives me life and the courage to work”, said Sr. Maria Troncatti. This was the driving force that made her to give of her best for the spread of God’s kingdom. The loving presence and protection of the Virgin Mother was tangible in the life of Sr. Maria Troncatti as she affirmed, “In every activity, struggle, or danger Mary always supported me with her maternal care”
“As we exult in this great favour bestowed on us by the Church, it is important that we imitate this wonderful missionary, who, with active faith, courageous generosity and joyful hope, proclaimed and witnessed to all the love of God,” said Mother Yvonne Reungoat, the Superior General of the FMAs at the beatification ceremony. “As a witness of the charity of Christ, Sr. Maria Troncatti encourages us to look to the future with hope, not to give up in moments of difficulty but to zealously go on working for the good of others and the spread of God’s Kingdom.” May these words of Mother Yvonne Reungoat inspire us to imitate our newly beatified, Blessed Maria Troncatti