Day of 20 August
This Sunday, August 20, after Lauds at 7 am and breakfast, the capitulants met in the chapter room for a morning of work focused mainly on the reports of the Provinces, Region and Mission of Africa.
At 12:15 pm, a solemn Sunday Mass, presided over by Father Agusto (originally from Mozambique) and songs prepared by our Mozambican sisters gathered us around the Lord’s table. We prayed especially for our Sister Samuelita of the Philippines who celebrated the gift of life on this day.
After lunch, for a relaxing afternoon, we visited the Pope’s summer palace in Castel Gandolfo. For the pleasure of our eyes, we contemplated the beautiful landscape of the gardens before making a small tour inside the palace.
At 5:30 pm, we had a beautiful celebration at the General House, marked above all by the blessing of the new statue of our Blessed Mother Rivier. A beautiful wooden statue that represents Marie Rivier in her real size, accompanied by children. Probably one of the most realistic statues we have ever had! It was blessed during the celebration of Vespers. A “wow!!!” collective admiration for the masterpiece manifested the emotion and the beautiful surprise of the sisters. They sketched a few dance steps in front of the statue of our Mother to express their joy.
We then shared a nice dinner offered by our sisters from the community of Castel. A good and beautiful cake in honor of our sister’s birthday was offered at the dessert.
20h 30, return to the center. A beautiful day of work and relaxation lived with a lot of emotions, in a strong family spirit, especially at the time of the unveiling and blessing of the statue of our Mother Rivier.
The awareness of belonging to the same family despite our great diversity helps us to measure the wealth of our religious family. The exchanges are interesting and give us a greater openness to the realities of our congregation. But above all, it strengthens our sense of belonging to the same religious family and to bear the concern for the preservation of the beautiful spirit of Saint Marie Rivier and which our world still needs today and tomorrow.
May the Holy Spirit, in addition to guiding us, give us the humility to let ourselves be led in his ways and the strength to accomplish what he asks of us. Amen!
S Sabine D.
Nemi, 08.20.23
