On Wednesday, April 24, the capitolari sisters experienced a day of pilgrimage to the heart of the Church. In fact, they came to Rome for an audience with the Pope. In the catechesis, that had as its theme the cardinal virtues, the Holy Father reminded them that the Christian’s journey is never a personal effort only but is the journey of one who remains in relationship with the Lord Jesus and from Him receives, in the virtues, divine life.
After the catechesis, the Holy Father greeted the sisters who reciprocated by waving scarves with the colors of the municipality of Assisi which were given to them by Mayor Stefania Proietti Pope Francis then, at the end of the audience, greeted all the sisters gathered on the stairs in front of the Basilica. It was a joyful and familial moment wherein the Holy Father treated fraternally all of them. At the end of the audience, the group went up to the Apostolic Palace, to the office of Apsa, where Sr. Silvana carries out her recent assignment. Welcomed by Msgr. Giordano Piccinotti, who was ordained bishop just a few days ago, they were able to get to know the Apostolic Palace as if it were a home, a place where a pilgrim can pause to resume his journey comforted by a fraternal greeting and an attentive welcoming.
For lunch, the capitolari convened at the community in Rome “Santa Maria della Porziuncola” where everything was carefully prepared for a festive and joyful gathering for the Mother General and the new council.
In the afternoon, a Eucharistic celebration was held presided over by Card. Tagle. In his homily, the Cardinal admonished the sisters not to lose our name: to be missionaries because we are sent, because we are mandated by Jesus, and to remain “like children” in obedience, simplicity, and awe.
After such an intense day that was also blessed by the sun…one returns to St. Mary of the Angels with a grateful heart for so many gifts!
