15^th Day

It is a day of immense joy and special blessings!

Mother Francesca made it possible for the Capitulars to have audience with the Pope at the Vatican today.  She did her best to request for it from the Papal Office, also hoping that we could be granted a private audience. What she received instead was a parchment containing the Papal Blessing for our 34^th General Chapter…and also the permit to attend the Papal audience.

And so, early morning today the Capitulars and some Sisters of the Generalate Community went to the Vatican for this event, at least to see the Pope in person and listen to his message. We were grateful to have been given seats closer to the stage, and even more delighted to hear our Congregation’s name being recognized by the presenter to be part of the big crowd gathered. 

But the best surprise for the Sisters was when our dear Mother told us that we have been given permission to have a photo with His Holiness. This means we could get closer to him. In fact, he did not only pose for a picture with us, but spoke with Mother Francesca. Though it was a short encounter, we witnessed the kind attention and wit (humor) of our Pope Francis while talking with Mother. In the end, he gave us his blessing and recommended himself to our prayers. This was truly an experience of joy for us – the sense of belonging to this big family of the Church, with a simple, affable and holy “father”, our beloved Pope Francis.

In the afternoon, the Capitulars started the Chapter work on the various agenda that need to be studied, discussed and decided upon in the plenary.

At 6:00 the Sisters prayed the Vespers followed by a Mass presided over by Msg. Antonio Pitta, professor of Sacred Scripture at the Lateran University.

United in prayer for the success of the General Chapter from Bragado, Argentina