5239(I)_Memory and Prophecy

VDB 100 years from first professions

October 30, 2019

By Dagmar K, President General, VDB

My Dear Sisters,

On 26 October we celebrate the Centenary of the profession of the first seven 'Zealots' who laid the foundations for our Institute. It is beautiful to remember these moments to renew our vocation and to commit ourselves to be prophets in today's world. Thanks to the courage of these first (sisters), it was possible for us (our institute) to be born, and thanks to their fidelity we are today an Institute at the service of the Church and of the world.

Memory:

26 October 1919: The First Professions of our sisters, at that time "Zealots of the Society of Saint Francis of Sales" according to reports from Luigina Carpanera, in her Notebook, page 79-87. I like to return in heartfelt fashion to those moments celebration, to feel the atmosphere that was experienced and to look with a grateful heart at what the Holy Spirit has done for us over these hundred years.

The place chosen: the "Chapel in the Rooms of Venerable Don Bosco" which, according Cardinal Cagliero ..., is a "very special sign of predestination".

The powerful message of his words: "Today begins your new life" ... "consecrate all for the salvation of souls ...".

The celebrants: two significant priests of our Salesian history: Cardinal Giovanni Cagliero and Father Filippo Rinaldi.

The Salesian Family: represented by the FMA who accompanied the first steps of the group.

The Feelings: For a good two times, at the beginning and at the end of the report, Luigina Carpanera describes the celebration as "moving".

Prophecy:

Even though a 100 years have passed, each of us sees herself again on that Sunday 26 October.

Let's take a little time there where we find ourselves and for a while let us remain in silence to recall how each one's vocation was born:

- my first YES

- the place where I professed for the first time

- all the people who have accompanied my consecrated life

- the path I have travelled

- the steps I wish to take, with trust in God, to accomplish His will;

For us too, as for the first sisters, that was the beginning of a new life, all for Christ to bring the Church to the world and the world to the heart of the Church.

“Our chaste, poor and obedient love, which is opposed to hedonism and the cult of the body, to profit and materialism, individualism and the culture of exclusion, thus becomes announcement, testimony, mission, sign of a love that is free and liberating "(AG8, p. 6).

This is my wish for each of us.

United in daily prayer for our holiness, with love in Jesus!

Yours

Dagmar K