Redazione
Master, teach us to pray - Spiritual retreat for postulants
I am grateful to the Lord for his gift to spend a few days with the postulants who were preparing for the novitiate praying with them and for them.
Our journey began with a pilgrimage to Vallecorsa, where we stopped at the places that marked the milestones of St. Maria De Mattias' Christian initiation and vocation. Sr Isabella and Sr Concetta warmly welcomed us, offering hospitality and a good lunch.
Arriving in the evening in Acuto, we wanted to ask for the intercession of the Foundress before her relic in the little church of the Motherhouse. All the sisters we met, Sr Teresina, Sr Martha, Sr Rani, Sr Maria Grazia, Sr Maria, Sr Angela, Sr Transito, Sr Gabriella, showed us affection and welcome, ensuring that atmosphere of serenity that helped us to pray.
There were five of us: Mariia from Russia, Mirjana from Australia, Antonjia and Tereza from Croatia. The postulants from Tanzania were unable to join us, but they too had their spiritual retreat in preparation for entering the novitiate a few days before us. Sr. Mariamma, the novice directress, was with us only for the beginning of our stay because she had to return to Rome to welcome the other companions from Tanzania.
We prayed in the silence of Acuto devoting ourselves to listening to the Word of God and reflecting on the fruits of the Holy Spirit. The weather was very variable, tending toward cold and rainy, but it allowed us to greet Acuto on a beautiful sunny day.
The young people were very committed and eager to follow the Lord. I believe the Holy Spirit found docile and joyful hearts in them. I thank them for their prayers and for that underlying serenity that accompanied the days spent together.
In time the fruits will ripen!
Sr. Patrizia Pasquini, ASC
The "Surprise" of Easter
The real "surprise" is what Jesus' Easter gives us: the mystery hidden for centuries that is fully revealed in the Lord's death and resurrection. Unfortunately, like the children who, after breaking the chocolate egg are disappointed because they do not find in it what they were expecting, we too feel dissatisfied because our lives do not change, because the ordinary daily routine offers us nothing new and everything continues to be as it always was.
Yet the surprise of Christ's Easter lies within us, hidden but present. The memorial we celebrate in the Eucharist takes us back to that day when life conquered death, light drove out darkness, hope overcame disappointment. Like the disciples, we too can face the struggle of looking inside the empty tomb and allow ourselves to be questioned by the small signs that tell us that our joy is important and that we should not allow anyone to snatch it from us.
The young Hetty Hillesum, killed in Aushwitz, knew how to rejoice in the sky reflected inside a puddle in the prison camp, in the colorful flowers beyond the barbed wire, in the kindest gesture of a jailer. There is so much pain in the world and around us, but the Crucified and Risen Lord has told us that this is not all: let Him make us the puddle that reflects the sky, the colorful flower beyond the wall, the smile of peace that widens our heart. We, united with Christ, will be the real surprise to those around us.
Walking with St. Maria De Mattias
On February 4, we remembered and celebrated our Foundress in every corner of the world, wherever there is even a single ASC. We gave thanks for her life and renewed with her our YES as individuals and as a global community. We continue to walk together sharing our lives and mission certain that God is hidden behind our lives.
Sr. Barbara Perali, ASC
March April 2024
March 4, 2024 - 190th Anniversary of Foundation of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ
