Hearts overwhelmed with joy, faces lit up with smiles and the hearts feeling the warmth of the presence of our companions. The temporary professed sisters of MM Mumbai were filled with deep gratitude to God for it making possible for us to be present at Auxilium Convent, Vadodara for our Tri-monthly Junior’s Meet from February 17 to February 19 2022. Sr. Meenakshi D’Silva our Provincial welcomed each one and expressed her joy in seeing us together as a batch. Her introductory talk underlined these words ‘GROW IN HOLINESS EACH DAY’ and ‘BE CHEERFUL ALWAYS’. “We are all called to be holy by living our lives with Love and in generous giving” say Pope Francis. This generous giving was seen in the life of our Saintly Foundress St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello.
Hope in the life our Mary Mazzarello was the theme for the day. Sr. Valerie Pereira fma elaborated this theme and helped us see Mary Mazzarello as a model of hope who leads young people to the road of sanctity. Her personal experiences helped us to understand St. Mary Mazzarello, A WOMAN FOR ALL TIMES. The simple Valponasca Window became the altar of love for St. Mary Mazzarello.
The second day of the meet revolved around this Window, the VALPONASCA WINDOW; thousands of eyes look at this window with gratefulness and ardour. It contained the secret of her vocation. Her gaze carried along with her the entire village to the LORD. The Second Valponsca helped her to understand that God works in ways we least expect. When conflict broke out among the Pious Union of Mary Immaculate she was asked by Fr. Pestarino to leave for Valponsca. It was a time of discernment. St. Mary Mazzarello together with her sisters visited the River Roverno to build that family spirit which is the foundation of Salesian life. This same experience was relived at Auxilium Vadodara enjoying the company of each other and relishing the polenta and chestnuts. We thank Sr. Jacinta Mosian fma for this day of animation enriching us with the true significance of the Window that unifies our whole life as consecrated women.
“Rekindle the fire” Mother Mazzarello often said and ‘not to allow ashes to settle in our lives’. The third day was spent in close company with the Lord. Fr. Anthony Goel sdb helped us, with his reflections on formation and priorities. Living religious life is a radical choice was the underlining statement of Sr. Saral SCB in her talk CALL TO RELIGIOUS LIFE. Sr. Priscilla Travasso enlightened us about the Annexure ‘Inculturating the Guidelines for the formation period of temporary vows’.
The Lord is never outdone in His generosity; we thank Fr. Saby and Fr. Isaac sdb for availing themselves for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. With deep gratitude in our hearts we turn to the Lord for all that has been these three days of animation and togetherness. ‘Love that is kept inside will surely fade away’ and so we move out with joy in our heart recommitting ourselves to learn, understand and relive St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello in our daily lives. We share her hope in these times of uncertainties and believing God always walks ahead of us in all situations.
