The Sisters from Generalate, Procura and Guests, 2009
HISTORY OF THE PROCURA GENERALE – ROME
Since 1953 the General Government was looking for a suitable place to re-establish a community of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters in Rome. The sisters wanted to return to Rome because our Founder lived, died and is buried there. Moreover, the Congregation of the Sisters was begun in the Eternal City. It was also realized that locating in Rome would alleviate the difficulty that developed after World War II of communicating from Germany with our sisters in Poland.
A decade later it became clear that prayers would soon be answered, and the dream of Rome would become a reality. Thanks to the assistance of the Pallottine Fathers, especially Father Weber, Procurator of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, in 1964 a house still under construction at Viale delle Mura Aurelie 7B, was discovered and was for sale. The sisters seized the opportunity, work continued, and the first guests arrived on April 5, 1965.
The Procura Generale serves as a guesthouse for pilgrims who come from around the world to visit Rome. Here the sisters create an atmosphere in which the pilgrims feel at home. From the very beginning the Congregation considered it an important apostolate of great value.
Their joyous witness makes the guests aware of the One whom the sisters are serving. The atmosphere, contributes to peace and quiet, to joy and satisfaction among the pilgrims. During their stay they have opportunities to attend the daily Eucharistic celebration and to have silent adoration in the lovely chapel, which is dedicated to St. Vincent Pallotti.
For a long time the sisters had wanted to move their Generalate from Limburg, Germany to Rome, and now the Procura would make this transfer possible. The land on which it stood allowed room for construction of another building, and the decision was made in 1968 to build a Generalate there. Thus another purpose for the guesthouse came about. This was to house the numerous sisters who come to the Generalate for international meetings organized by the superior general and her councillors. These occasions have priority especially when a General Chapter meets every six years. This arrangement has become a very important factor in that it allows many sisters to have not only the great experience that the Church and Rome have to offer, but also to visit the sites where St. Vincent Pallotti was born, performed his ministry, and died.
Today the Procura is very active and welcomes many pilgrims who come mainly to receive the blessing of the Holy Father, to celebrate special feasts, and to visit the Vatican only a few blocks away.
The sisters are happy when they see that their guests return home strengthened and encouraged, and are grateful to be able to provide this opportunity that for most is a life time experience. If you would like to see more about the Procure today, please see the link to their website. http://www.casamissionariepallottine.it/
International Community of the Procura
