Today, Sunday 24 April 2022, the venerable Father Gregory Fioravanti, Founder, is at the center of our prayers for him and for the   Congregation which he supported with great determination and courage.

In the provincial house, there is a party and a small group of Lay Associates joins the sisters of the community to celebrate the venerable Father Gregory,  celebration made in all simplicity but with great fervor and participation of all.

The biblical readings of this Sunday of Divine Mercy are particularly suitable for the occasion!

The first reading presents us with the strength that comes to us from faith. The responsorial psalm reminds us all that Christ, the stone rejected by the builders, has become the cornerstone that sustains the Church. The text of the Apocalypse insists on the trust we must have in the Lord just as the Lord places His  trust in us. The Gospel of St. John reminds us that the Holy Spirit sending us on mission gives us his Peace, which is the only lasting one; Jesus never fails to soothe our sufferings and heal our wounds. (esperience of St. Thomas).

I am convinced that Father Gregory in the arduous commitment (struggle) that he had to carry on made incessant recourse to Holy Scripture, in it and in fervent prayer he found the necessary strength, trust and perseverance.

The celebration ends with the community recitation of the prayer to Father Gregory; we all ask that he intercede for us with the heavenly Father.

With deep gratitude, we receive the image with the relic of Father Gregory, it will be of support in the prayers that we do so that he may reach the beatification as a reward.

At the end, as true Franciscans, a friendly refreshment could certainly not be missing, an opportune moment for sharing and fraternal joy. All this contributes to feeling more and more a living part of the great family of the Franciscan missionary sisters of the Sacred Heart.

All praise and glory to God !

Claire Nogaret responsible for Lay Associates