A charism that has continued for 150 years in the Middle East
On November 19, 2022, in the jubilee year of the 150th anniversary of missionary service in the Middle East, we FMSC sisters of the "St. Elizabeth" Province celebrated, with sentiments of gratitude and praise, the solemn closing of this memorable event for the history of the entire religious Family.
The jubilee was a time of grace for us because it reminded us of all the journey done during these 150 years and of the many sisters who lived and transmitted with missionary zeal, humility and self-denial the charism given by the Holy Spirit to our Founders Laura Leroux de Bauffremont and Father Gregory Fioravanti.
Listening to the past, often marked by greater suffering and new difficulties, lived by the first sisters with courage and fidelity, was a fruitful opportunity to understand how vital our charism is. Starting from 1872 until today, the missions of the East embrace the challenges of the time and reinterpret the charism giving life to numerous expressions and works, fruit of divine Providence.
The sensitivity in the midst of the different religions, cultures, customs and traditions that has distinguished the missionaries of the East continues to be a founding element for the Province. The international aspect of the communities, the multicultural and multi-religious society, the respectful dialogue and the acceptance of the poorest, are an evident example of how much the charism, entrusted to us by the Founders and the first sisters, continues to spread this "sacred history".
In addition to being a solemn celebration, the jubilee was for all of us the occasion for a renewed missionary ardor that embodies the charism in everyday folds with creativity and simplicity. It also confronts us with a great responsibility: we are called to recognize what the Lord has done for us during these years and lay the foundations for the future.
The jubilee event was attended by the Superior General, sister Paola Dotto, sister Tiziana Tonini Vicar, sister Rose Thomas Palamthattel and sister Gregoria Suarez Medina General Councillors, Sister Stefania Bandiera, Provincial Superior of the Province of “S. Maria degli Angeli”, Sr. Clare Poothakuzhiyil, Provincial Councilor of the “St. Francis” Province, Sr. Lilibeth Labian, Provincial Vicar of the “Mary Immaculate” Province, Sr. Beltha Ngwashi, Vice-Provincial Superior of the “SS. Martyrs of Uganda” and Sr. Diomira Cavasin who contributed to the historical research of our Province. Our missions in Cyprus, Lebanon and Bulgaria were also represented by some sisters. In the joyful presence of the sisters we narrated many stories, people and events that happened, initiatives that build bridges between the continents where the Religious Family is present. In the exchange of life and experiences we have written a new page of history which tells of the marvels of the Lord.
On 17 November 2022, the solemnity of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, patroness of the Province, the arrival of the sisters from different parts of the world in Limassol began the jubilee celebrations. Upon their entrance, in the external courtyard, they were received with a warm welcome by the pupils and teachers of the "Santa Maria" school. The first to welcome them were the kindergarten children with all the flags of the 22 countries of the world, where the FMSC are called and sent to carry out their missionary service. The welcome with the typical perfumed essence with which the guest is sprinkled on the hands and the incensing with the dry branches of the olive tree was touching. Under the blue sky, waving banners, flowers and little hearts rang out the melodious voices and songs in English, Greek and Italian from the elementary and secondary school. It was truly surprising how this celebration involved professors, teachers and students… Orthodox, Latinos, Maronites, whites, blacks, Europeans and non-Europeans. All "different" and all the same, together, on the 150th anniversary of the FMSC presence in the Middle East. Together, in a school open to children and teachers of all nationalities and all religions without exception, following the example of the first missionary sisters in the Middle East.
On 19 November 2022, in the school theatre, the closing of the jubilee year was celebrated with a solemn Holy Mass presided over by His Excellency Mons. Adolfo Tito Illana, Apostolic Nuncio in Israel and Cyprus and delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine. With His Excellency, many priests concelebrated: Mons. Selim Sfeir, Maronite Archbishop of Cyprus, priests of the island, Latins and Maronites, and from the Custody of the Holy Land. In the presence of civil and religious authorities, numerous faithful, pupils and former pupils, teachers and former teachers, parents and collaborators, under the angelic voices of the school choir, the celebration was a hymn of praise and gratitude to God for the collaboration of many sisters and people who in the 150 years of history have illuminated the transmission of the charism with their own testimony of life.
During his homily, Archbishop Adolfo Tito Illana highlighted the historical signs of the start of the mission in the Middle East and underlined above all the strong desire to announce the Gospel of the first sisters who arrived in Constantinople. In direct participation in the missionary activity of the Church, among the faithful and the unfaithful, the FMSC sisters carried out their pastoral works with fidelity and apostolic zeal, drawing profound benevolence from the Heart of Christ Crucified. The life of prayer and penance is the fundamental source for evangelization, for education and for works of charity - substantial elements for the mission which must prompt us to choose the existential peripheries above all where faith is lacking. Being meek, humble, charitable: these characteristics must distinguish our life as Franciscans and missionaries today. Only in this way can missionary service become a sacrament of the presence of the Lord Jesus, Archbishop Illana reiterated.
The education of the younger generations following the example of the first sisters in mission lands is the prerequisite for the proclamation of the Gospel. Therefore, accompanying young people in their growth, in their moral and spiritual maturation remains the primary investment which creates the conditions for welcoming the Good News. Furthermore, evangelization characterizes us as missionaries and we must take charge of it in all forms of our apostolic service.
In turn, the Superior General Sr. Paola Dotto expressed her gratitude for the 150 years of generous service in the Middle East of all the FMSC sisters, called and sent to 22 countries around the world. The Superior General highlighted the courage of faith and trust in the abandonment of the Father's will, which led the first sisters down paths that were not always simple and easy. “To Him I wish to return all the good done in these 150 years; all the love given in the various forms of mission; all the faith lived and all the charity shown to so many brothers and sisters, to poor children, entrusted to our sisters". In the certainty that the names of all the sisters who have worked in the various realities of the "St. Elizabeth" Province are resounding in heaven before the Lord, Sr. Paola Dotto expressed her homage for their example of unconditional self-giving, generous fidelity, true missionary spirit. She concluded with affectionate gratitude to the sisters who are living their mission today in Cyprus, Bulgaria, Lebanon and to "all those who, in the Church and in society, have placed themselves attentively alongside our sisters, our communities, the their missionary service, giving fraternally support and help, sharing efforts, joys and hopes". Concluding, the Superior General invites us to hope "which makes us look to the future in the certainty that the Lord will continue to guide and complete His work".
Before the final blessing, the Telegram of His Holiness Pope Francis was read on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the presence and mission of the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in the Middle East. His auspicious thought is addressed to the entire Congregation and exhorts that the anniversary revive in the sisters the resolutions of generous adherence to Christ and joyful witness of fraternal life. For the happy jubilee solemnity, the celebrant presented the Apostolic Blessing that His Holiness imparts to all the Sisters of the "St. Elizabeth" Province, invoking a special outpouring of heavenly graces on all of them to strengthen the commitment of continuous fidelity to God and to the Church and of ever more generous response to vocation.
On behalf of the Order of Friars Minor, the greetings of the Minister General Father Massimo Fusarelli, ofm were read. By entrusting the journey of the Province to the Immaculate Virgin, with the blessing of St. Francis, through the intercession of St. Elizabeth and following the example of the Venerable Father Gregory, he hopes for an ever more prophetic and joyful response to always live "as it is pleasing to God".
To crown the Eucharistic celebration, some girls from the school swayed on stage narrating the expansion of the missionary charism through a beautiful choreography that ended with an explosion of applause.
After the Eucharistic celebration, the second part of the event followed. The book “Wisdom, patience, the ardour of good” written by prof. Ulderico Parente. In the presentation of historical events, illustrated by images of the past and present, not only was the competence and profound reflection on events and people tasted but also the passion with which prof. Parente narrates the heroic sacrifice of many sisters who, in attentive and respectful dialogue, dedicated to the educational mission through schools open to all and charitable activities, lived the Gospel with "very high seraphic poverty". The difficulties and sufferings that the sisters experienced in the thorny political-social reality in Turkey, Cyprus, the Greek Islands, Bulgaria, Lebanon were illustrated. The moving applause of those present demonstrated the fond memories and deep gratitude in reviewing the images of so many sisters, past and present, who have worked without reserve in the missions in the Middle East.
To crown the celebration, in the internal courtyard of the school, on the external stage of the theatre, the school choir, made up of about a hundred youth from all linguistic sections, performed folk dances and songs in various languages. A grandiose spectacle that united heaven and earth in thanksgiving for so much generosity, zeal and missionary passion of all the Franciscan Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in these 150 years.
May the Lord make us fruitful leaven so that the charism continues to bear abundant fruit for the holy Church of God!
Il Signore ci renda lievito fecondo perché il carisma continui a portare frutti abbondanti per la santa Chiesa di Dio!
