Catholic means open to the whole world

This is a definition I have heard from childhood.  I’m a “cradle Catholic,” baptized early in life…and I’ve seen Catholic masses enculturated in so many forms that it’s dizzying, but always, the same Lord is made present, and the same basic truths are celebrated.  It’s beautiful, and it’s touching.

Today, however, I was struck by this reality in a new way.  Yes, we are Salesian Sisters, and YES, we are Catholic…(open to the whole world) because today, in a very brief voting session, our leadership elected Mother Yvonne, of French origin, for the first time in our 136 year history!

So today, we show that we are an international congregation not only in name, but also in the leadership that represents us, and that for us, represents the presence of Mary.  If you have time today, and you think of it, maybe you would say a prayer for Mother Yvonne.  (Becoming a Mother to 14,000 daughters overnight may, in fact, be a bit “daunting.”)

If you are interested, the whole story is here.

May God bless Mother Yvonne, and may her Sisters, as Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, be open to her leadership, and her voice as the mediation of God, and the living presence of Mary who walks among us!

I’m practically Italian…

It’s pretty certain that my community, or those who know me well will laugh when they see the title of this…  Why will they laugh?  Because I often say, “I’m practically Mexican.  My sister-in-law is Mexican, My neice and nephews are Mexican, I love Mexican food and make a mean seven layer dip…I’m practically Mexican!”

In fact, I really love foreign cultures, languages, customs, places.  While I wouldn’t consider myself a world traveller, and while I’m much more of a home body than anything else, I love savoring other cultures, practices, languages and peoples.

Obviously, from the roots of my religious family, I love Italy most of foreign places, and because I have a relatively good grip, and some very close friends here, I really consider myself Italian.  I learned the Roman dialect when I was here as a novice…and loved to speak using that dialect.  There is something so warm, so genuine and so simple about this culture and this people; how could I not be attracted.

A novelty since the last time I was here is the Smart Car.  Have you seen one?  I hadn’t till I came here – but they are cars that are slightly larger than matchboxes.  Here are some interesting pics I found online, very similar to what I see allover in Rome!

Now, for anyone who has ever boarded a bus in Italy, or been on a street and seen the traffic, or seen lines, or any of the funny things that Italians do, here is a video you will enjoy.  It is a look at the Italy that I not only love, but that makes me laugh.  Lines?  Why bother!  Roads?  Try sidewalks!  Parking?  Certainly not parallel!  Bus?  You can wait!  Signs?  Why two when 22 will do?

 

So if you get the chance – and those of you in formation will have at least a full year here…bring your Italian-English Dictionary, bring a warm heart, an open mind, and a good sense of humor!

The GENERAL Equation ~ Service + Sacrifice = Joy

For these months while I’m here in Italy, I’m living in our GENERAL House in Rome, Italy.  There are usually about one hundred Sisters who live in this house, but during these days, there are about 300.  The additional two hundred are Sisters from all over the world.

I’m deeply impressed by the character of the women I’m living with.  They are hardworking and dedciated.  I’m so happy to know them and to be able to see the good that they do.  Their quiet offering will probably never be known to the world at large, and yet, they continue to offer all their daily work and sacrifice for the young.  There is a great spirit of sacrifice here.  I’d like to share some of the pictures of all the work that these Sisters did to prepare for the exponential growth of the community.

Sr. Alba takes care of the dining room; here we see her sewing.

Some of the Sisters come early for lessons in Italian, since that is our common language.

Many Sisters are from Italy. Here we can see two Sisters from Slovakia, and a number from Italy.

The place was cleaned top to bottom before we arrived.

Coordination is key.

Sr. Giovanna not only does beautiful flower arrangements for the chapel, but as we see here, she irons the vestments.

Cleaning the floors in this huge building is a big job.

Cleaning the house for 300 is tiring!

The General Council meets to plan.

There is a LOT to be done to prepare food for 300!

The work of the laundry will triple!

A LOT of furnture was moved!

Two Sisters move some furniture.

The kitchen crew meets with the economer to plan meals.

These three Sisters work in the printing press.

I can’t say enough good about what I’ve seen and the way their silent sacrifice has affected me.  It’s hard to put into words and pictures what I see here every day – the willingness of each Sister to be of help to another, but it is beautiful.  The Family Spirit is alive and well in Rome, Italy… and it’s beautiful to see!

Italian…”italiano”

I learned Italian.  It never seemed I would be able to learn a foreign language.  When I was a kid, and spoke the little bit of Spanish, I remember wondering what good the phrase, “the pen is red” would do for me in real life and how this knowledge would help me to communicate in a foreign language….like what do I do – go up to someone and say, “hola, the pen is red.” 

My method of learning Italian, though, was mostly through music.  Below I’ve posted one of my favorite songs – it’s really not new, nor was it new when I learned it.  I just love the first line.  “You are my life.  I have no other.” 

 

In the end, that is what it all boils down to, isn’t it?  He is (or should be) our life!  Here are the words with the English translation…

Tu sei la mia vita altro io non ho

You are my life, I have no other
Tu sei la mia strada, la mia verita’

You are my way, my truth

Nella tua parola io camminero’
In your word, I will walk

Finche’ avro’ respiro fino a quando tu vorrai
For as long as I breathe, as long as you want

Non avro’ paura sai, se tu sei con me
I won’t be afraid, you know, if you are with me

io ti prego resta con ma

I ask you to remain with me

Credo in te Signore nato da Maria
I believe in you, Lord, born of Mary

Figlio eterno e santo, uomo come noi
Eternal and Holy Son, a man like us

Morto per amore, vivo in mezzo a noi
You died for love, living in our midst

Una cosa sola con il Padre e con i tuoi
You are one with the Father and those who belong to you

Fino a quando, io lo so, tu ritornerai
I know it, until you will return

Per aprirci il regno di Dio
To open the Kingdom of God to us

Tu sei la mia forza, altro io non ho
You are my strength, I have no other

Tu sei la mia pace, la mia liberta’
You are my peace, my freedom

Niente nella vita ci separera’

Nothing in life will ever separate us

So che la tua mano forte non mi lascera’
I know that your strong hand will not leave me

So che da ogni male tu mi libererai
I know you will free me from every evil

E nel tuo perdono vivro’
And in your forgiveness I will live

Padre della vita noi crediamo in te
Father of life we believe in you

Figlio Salvatore, noi speriamo in te
Son and Savior, we hope in you

Spirito d’Amore vieni in mezzo a noi
Spirit of Love, come among us

tu da mille strade ci raduni in unita’
From our thousands of paths, you gather us in unity

e da mille strade poi, dove tu vorrai
And from thousands of streets, where you want us

noi saremo il seme di Dio

We will be the seeds of God