Saturday May 16, 2020, the date of the anniversary of Pallotti’s ordination, was a day of praise to God and deep joy for our communities in Rome: in the Generalate, Procura and Moncenisio, as our Sr. Binita Soreng SAC took her perpetual vows in our chapel in the Procura. Due to the restrictions of Coronavirus, she could not travel to India and thus this joy to celebrate with Sr. Binita was given to us, feeling united with the Sisters of her Indian Province, Mother of Divine Love and with our Superior General, Sr. Izabela Swierad, who due to the Corona pandemic could not be present.
The Eucharistic celebration, in which Sr. Binita responded to God with her full-hearted, definitive “here I am Lord” was preceded by much prayer in our communities, and joyful preparations. We are grateful to the Superior General of the Roman Pallottine Sisters, Sr. Ivete Garlet CSAC who guided the spiritual retreat of Sr. Binita.
We were honored to have Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almsgiver, presiding over the Holy Mass, with two Salvatorian priests, our chaplains, as concelebrants. The theme for the celebration chosen by Sr. Binita was “Not you have chosen me, I have chosen you” (John 15,16).
The Cardinal, whose courageous actions for the poor also during this pandemic are known, challenged and encouraged Sr. Binita and all of us with the question: how does the Church and how do I react, when times are difficult? Do I listen to the world – that is speaking many stupid things – or to the voice of the Spirit? He said: “Jesus asked Peter: do you love me? Do you love me more than these?” This is the fundamental question – It is not about titles, or theological studies. We are called to bear fruit. This is the fruit: not to hide oneself, but to love, to show the image of God to the others. And he ended: Sister, when you find yourself in a situation when you do not know what to do – don´t listen to the world, don’t read books about God. Read the Word of God that will show you the way.
We all could experience the gift of profound joy and freedom in the Spirit when Sr. Binita took her final vows, which were received by Sr. Josephine D´Souza, Vicar General. Two Indian Sisters: Sr. Magdalena Pinto, the superior of the community and Sr. Stella Chinappa were the official witnesses, representing the Indian Province. The whole celebration was touching, by its depth, harmony and the vibrant songs, accompanied with the rhythms of our international community. Elements of the Indian culture were the Arati and communion song in Hindi.
With joy, together with our few invited guests, among them Sr. Ivete, we continued the celebration in a festive banquet. “Remember the sunflowers” said Cardinal Krajewski (he had brought a grand bouquet for Sr. Binita) – “they always look towards the sun”.
Praised be the Lord for Sr. Binita as a fellow Sister in our Congregation. May He give strength and perseverance to her life journey as a Pallottine Missionary Sister.
