Generalate
II
Our hearts are filled with awe!
Holy is His name!
The evening of prayer and praise carried us to the excitement of this day: May 15th. Many of the groups were already at their areas of entry before 6 am. The waiting time was filled with the beautiful sound of singing, praying Aves, laughter, or simply friendly chatter. The gates of St Peter’s Square were opened at 7 am and all passed through security.
Once inside the piazza, we found good places. In that immense space, we could see the gigantic banners of the 10 new Saints that were hung from the columns of the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica. They had placed two images on one tapestry. Saint Marie Rivier was with St. Ma. Domenica Mantovani, Foundress of the Little Sisters of the Holy Family. St Peter’s Square was packed and the fields of yellow, blue, red, and white indicated the colourful life of the Church, our family. Seated under the heat of the Italian sun was a challenging part of the morning. The faithful patiently waited, many took photos and videos, prayed the Rosary, met new friends, and exchanged e-mail addresses and social media accounts.
Then Pope Francis arrived and greeted the important personages of the Canonization: the Postulators, Superior Generals, and the ‘recipients of the miracles ’. Each one who met and shook hands with the Pope received a simple gift of a papal Rosary. The Liturgy of the Church is always uplifting, but even more so on an occasion like this. It became more meaningful because the Church proclaimed this day the Sainthood of our dear Mother Rivier. What a memorable Eucharistic celebration in St. Peter’s Square!
At the beginning of the Rite of Canonization, the Postulators accompanied Cardinal Semeraro, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints as he presented the ten Blesseds and requested the Holy Father to proceed to the Canonization of the ten new saints of the Church. It was a touching moment! The Petitio presented by Cardinal Semeraro where he read the brief biographies of each new Saint, and the proclamation of Canonization formula by Pope Francis are moments worth revisiting today.
(https://youtu.be/GEbi-g7bBzE) These moments of deep emotion moved our hearts and a strong sense of pride welled up in each of us. All of us shared a common joy and a common pride because we belong to one family of God! We have TEN new Saints in the Church! Mother Maria dos Anjos Alves carried an urn of incense in procession as a gesture of venerating the new Saints of the Church, particularly our Saint Marie Rivier.
When the offertory began, the small child who offered a ciborium of bread to the Pope looked so pretty in her dress. Child as she was, she understood the reason why she was there. She knew she came to Rome to participate in the Canonization of Blessed Marie Rivier. Quietly she went up with her mother beside her and handed the offering to the Pope. As she was approaching him, there was a beautiful smile on the Pope’s face! Angel Marie Vier met Pope Francis. He lowered his head to meet hers. He patted her cheeks and touched her head. What a sacred moment! I wonder what was in her child’s heart and mind at this historical moment of her childhood?
After the Canonization mass, all the Presentation of Mary delegates made their way to the Centro Angelicum, where a banquet lunch was served. It was followed by another gathering in the auditorium to celebrate once again our belonging to the Spiritual Family of our new Saint. The program lasted for about an hour as we listened to testimonies, sang and danced. The joyful energy was contagious. The more we joined in the fun, the more energy we received. The afternoon of celebration was well lived!
