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Volume VII Issue No. 3 May-June 2019

Sr. Rosann

WE ARE DIFFERENT YET ONE“The way of Jesus…to walk united with our differences.” -Pope Francis

Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Casa Santo Spirito, Via dei Bevilacqua 60, 00165, Rome Italy

The Generalate and the Casa Community, Rome

GROTTAFERRATA REVISITED

May 22, 2019

1954before: front partnow: back part

2019before: back partnow: front part

The seat of the governing body of the Congregation, the Generalate, was first established in Tutzing, Germany and was transferred to Grottaferrata, Metropolitan Rome on September 15, 1953. On April 22, 1970 all the members of the Generalate House moved from Grottaferrata to Via dei Bevilacqua 60, Rome. GROTTAFERRATA, page 2

Congregation Lifestream 2

May 22, 2019 was indeed a memorable day, being exactly 11 months before the Golden Jubilee of Casa Santo Spirito, our Generalate House in Rome. That was the reason, why we chose Grottaferrata as our first destination for our community outing, as our sisters were staying there before finding our present place in Via dei Bevilacqua in Rome. The house in Grottaferrata was sold to another congregation of sisters who had there an apostolate for physically challenged people. They loved the house, but they needed a bigger and more practical building for their apostolate. So they sold it also and built on the opposite plot. The house was then transformed to an apartment with 10 different partitions for private use. One sister of that congregation explained to us how beautiful and useful the house was until it became too small for the comfort of those they minister to. From there we moved to the Abbey of our Lady of Grottaferrata, a Basilian Abbey which was founded before the schism with the Eastern Church and remained faithful to Rome, but keeping the Greek Byzantine Rite. We had our noon prayer and lunch at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Tuff, a place where a wayfarer was nearly hit by a big boulder rolling

down from the mountain. When he called our Blessed Lady for help, the boulder stopped in front of him. In gratitude he built the church, which was then entrusted to the Trinitarian Fathers. One of them, Father Josef Langg, A Vietnamese and rector of the church welcomed us with great hospitality. After his explanation of the place, we could chant our noon prayer with organ accompaniment. Then we had lunch in the courtyard and refectory. Gratefully we moved on and reached Centro Ad Gentes, Nemi, where SVD Fathers run workshops, retreats and renewal programs. Fr. Gino Gimenez, the Rector, toured us inside the Center. We were impressed by the place with its beauty of nature and art as well as the modern equipment for meetings and general chapters. On our way back we marvelled at the beautiful landscape with the Lago Albano and Castel Gandolfo on the other lake side. We reached home in time for spiritual reading and vespers. We thank God for his protection on the way with the favourable weather and all people who received us so generously. May God continue to guide us into the future as we remember in gratitude our history. Sr. Regina Tesch, OSB

GROTTAFERRATA, from page 1

STUDENTS IN ROMEFront row l-r: Sr. Mary Joseph, Sr. Marialuz, Sr. Bonaventura, Sr. RosariaBack row l-r: Sr. Ecclesia, Sr. Anima, Sr. Adriana

Daegu1. Sr. Bonaventura Lee

Sacred ScripturesAngelicum

2. Sr. Rosaria YoonSacred MusicInstitute of Sacred Music

3. Sr. Ecclesia ParkMonastic SpiritualityMonastic Institute of

Sant’Anselmo 4. Sr. Anima Kim

PsychologyInstitute of Psychology, Gregorian University

ManilaSr. Marialuz Dungca

Formation Gregorian UniversityNairobi Sr. Mary Joseph Mulala

Psycho-Spiritual Counseling Institute of St. Anselm

Sorocaba Sr. Adriana Ribeiro Renewal Program:

Consecrated Life Spirituality

Claretianum

Congregation Lifestream 3

From l-r: Sr. Mary Gabrielle, Sr. Suzana, Sr. Augustina, Sr. Gabriella, Sr. Paula, Sr. Katarina, Sr. Francine

at the graduation of Sr. Rosaria (holding a bouquet)

The International Union of Superiors General (UISG) from 80 different countries concluded its XXI Plenary Assembly on May 10. It took place at the Ergife Hotel in Romeand began on May 6. Sr. Carmen Sammut msola (Out Going President) and Sr. Patricia Murray ibvm (Executive Secretary) have this to report “More than 850 Superiors General explored the theme 'Sowers of Prophetic Hope.' There were five main addresses presented by four women religious and a lay woman on the topics: the future vision of religious life, caring for creation (the implications of Laudato Si’), living inter-culturally and the call to engage in inter-religious dialogue. During two round tables presentations, participants listened to moving testimonies on the emergence of hope in different contexts. During reflection time at their tables the Superiors had the opportunity to speak about similar challenges within their congregations. The Superiors General could attend a series of workshops on Canon Law, Protection of Minors, Communication, and New Approaches to the Provision of Care for Children before and after the Plenary. A total of 500 Superiors General participated in these workshops.” M.Maoro Sye shares her reflection, “The plenary session gave me hope and insight for our times as women religious.   The  formation workshops which I attended before and after the plenary, ‘Canon Law for Religious Life’   and ‘Communicating the Mission’ were also very helpful for me.”

UISG CONCLUDES XXI PLENARY ASSEMBLY

M. Maoro with the English Group

"Continue to conduct an orientation for new prioresses and superiors of the

Generalate District houses." (XIII General Chapter Message)

I would like to thank M. Maoro Sye and the General Councilors who gave me the orientation which new prioresses should have. As I was arriving Rome in the evening of May 20, I was deeply moved by old memories when I visited Casa Santo Spirito 24 years ago. The welcome and hospitality of many sisters made it easy for me to experience a fruitful orientation. I had a wonderful 10-day stay in the Casa and admire again the beautiful city Rome! First, it was very good to talk directly with the Generalate about the current tasks and issues of which I was able to get clear answers immediately. There was sharing of information and the spirit of working together. Second, I was able to learn clearly the qualities of the prioress and how to make decisions according to our Constitutions and the XIII General Chapter. At the same time I got ideas on how to run more realistically and concretely the Daegu Priory Chapter in August. Third, it was great that the General Councilors divided the orientation into parts. It was good that each Councilor explained the segment assigned to her. With this, I was able to learn more professionally and concretely. Fourth, in commemoration of the golden jubilee of the foundation of the Generalate House, the sisters have a special event every 22nd of the month. For the month of May there was an outing to Grottaferrata, Metropolitan Rome, where we visited the former Generalate House. Being together in that place, our congregation history was more in my mind. This made me think about the preparation of the celebration for the 100th Anniversary of Daegu Priory in 2025. I knew a lot while serving as sub-prioress and member of the priory government, however, many concerns and things that I have to do are a lot different in the position of prioress. I felt that going to Rome for orientation was like to do the

DAEGU PRIORESS ATTENDS ORIENTATION

The Generalate with Sr. Christina Moon (third from right)

DAEGU PRIORESS, page 4

Congregation Lifestream 4

Abt. Guillermo

DAEGU PRIORESS, from page 3homework. However, in conclusion from the bottom line, it was a really necessary and beneficial time! I am very grateful for the orientation! Once more, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to M. Maoro who guided and translated for me, the General Councilors who gave me much consideration, and the sisters of the Casa

community for their wonderful services during my orientation. It is my hope and wish and prayer as well as the Sisters of Daegu Priory that the Holy Spirit may shower upon the Generalate and our Congregation forever and ever! Sr. Christina Moon, OSB

PRIORY CHAPTERS

Peramiho: May 17-23

Seoul: May 27-June 1

VISIT TO BULGARIA

Zarevbrod Sekirovo

June 12-19

ZarevbrodL-R: Sr. Nadya Ruzhina, Sr. Maria Agnes Cerina, M. Maoro, Sr. Regina Tesch,Sr. Tekla Mwikali Mbevi,

Sekirovo

Sr. Quirina Seidl

L-R: Sr. Leticia Saraza, Sr. Regina, M. Maoro, Sr. Quirina, Sr. Maria Agnes, Sr. Angela Park

Peramiho

Seoul

“The priory chapter meets regularly as an ordinary chapter for the implementation of the decisions of a recently concluded general chapter.”(Constitutions VII, Norm 744b)

Congregation Lifestream 5

Abt. Guillermo

May 5- 6 will be forever etched in the memory and hearts of the Bulgarian people. Upon the Pontiff’s arrival and the usual official welcome at the Sofia airport, he proceeded to the Orthodox Patriarchate and met Partriarch Neofit. In this meeting and also with government leaders, he implored for the re-opening of Bulgaria to immigrants. It was a sunny day when aboard two buses we embarked on our journey to the capital Sofia for the Pope’s Mass. The theme of the Visit was “Peace on Earth.” It started with the praying of the Regina Caeli in front of the Alexander Nevsky Orthodox Cathedral. We gathered at the Prince Alexander I Square for the Holy Mass. The Holy Mass delivered in Italian and responded in Bulgarian. The choir of which I was one of the members sang to the delight of the people and for the glory of God. The theme of the Pope’s homily, “Called, surprised and sent for love!” was based on the Gospel of St. John 21, 1- 19. Referring to the call of Peter, he explained that time and again we are being called and then He surprises us, “God surprises.  He is the Lord of surprises.   He invites us not only to be surprised, but also to do surprising things.  The Lord calls the disciples and, seeing them with empty nets, he tells them to do something odd: to fish by day, something quite out of the ordinary on that lake.   He revives their trust by urging them once more to take a risk. The choir had a special blessing when the Holy Father passed in front of us. With thankful hearts and lifted spirits we returned home to receive our

five Vatican guests who were housed in our monastery. The Pope in Rakovski The tight security did not dampen the spirits of the people of Rakovski to receive the Pope with a joyful and heartfelt welcome. In the morning of

the 6th, aboard two buses, the First Communicants, parents, catechists and I travelled to the nearby district, General Nikolaevo for the First Communion Mass to be presided by His Holiness. Pope Francis was welcomed by the children chanting, “Papa.” Two hundred and forty nine (249) children received communion from the Pope himself, fifty six came from our parish.

Meeting with Catholic Communities From General Nikolaevo, the Supreme Pontiff travelled the 20- minute route coming to our district, Sekirovo for the meeting with Religious priests, sisters and catholic communities. Along boulevard Rakovski and in the church yard people lined up hoping to get his blessing and they did receive. Right after the meeting, the Pope and his entourage returned to Sofia for a Prayer for Peace meeting with other religious denominations.

Personal Impression Looking at Pope Francis up close I find him a very simple man, displaying a child-like aura of happiness. This in itself fills me with gratitude to have seen him and to be touched by what he is and his message.

POPE FRANCIS VISITS BULGARIABY SR. LETICIA SARAZA, OSB

Pope Francis with the Sekirovo First communicants and Sr. Leticia

Congregation Lifestream 6

Rest in PeaceSr. Lutharda Koller, 99, who died in Itapeteninga on May 23.Sr. Baptista Busmente, 86, who died in Manila on June 4,

“As a sign of our commitment for the care of God’s creation the Congregation commits itself to have planted at least 1300 trees within the next six years.” (XIII General Chapter Message)

TREE PLANTING in Dresden, Tutzing Priory and Pambujan, Manila Priory

From L-R: Sr. Isabella Petrus (Windhoek Priory) and Sr. Mary Peter Mackay (Manila Priory) at St. Scholastica’s Chapel, Manila on May 11; Sr. Irene Nyirenda, Sr. Grace Hittu, Sr. Elisa Millanzi and Sr. Rose Guga at the Ndanda Abbey Church on May 18.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEWLY FINAL PROFESSED SISTERS

Sr. Maura Cardines from the Manila Priory turned 100 on May 9.

Sr. Majola Sr. Mary Frances Sr. Stephanie

“The Feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated with solemnity in our convents, since from its beginnings our Congregation has been placed under the protection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.” (Constitutions III, Norm 310)

HAPPY FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART! The Generalate

• Sr. Majola from Windhoek Priory back to Daegu, her home priory

• Sr. Mary Frances Dizon from Windhoek Priory on a short term assignment back to Manila, her home priory.

• Sr. Stephanie Zamoras from Manila Priory to Windhoek Priory