“The Spirit of the Lord has filled the whole world
and that which contains all things understands what is said.”
The entrance antiphon of Pentecost Sunday affirms that the Church commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and followers of Jesus Christ. Pentecost is considered the beginning of the holy Church, built on the firm foundation of apostles. This day is also very important for us, Pallottine Sisters, since our Congregation was born on Pentecost.
Even after 186 years, both branches of Pallottine Sisters namely Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate and Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate celebrated the love which moved St. Vincent Pallotti to found the community of religious women to be be a channel of God’s love to his people. It was a great joy for the two Congregations to meet in front of our founder’s tomb in the church of San Salvatore in Onda to thank God for the life of St. Vincent Pallotti and to pray for his whole foundation.
The Holy Mass was presided over by Don Nicola Gallucci SAC, Provincial of the Italian Province and concelebrated by Fr. Showri Raju Yetukuri SAC, General Secretary. Sisters of both Congregations were joined by lay members of the Union of the Catholic Apostolate who share our charism and spirituality.
In his homily the main celebrant emphasized our call as Pallottine Sisters. Although we represent two branches, we have a common call rooted in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are to live a life of complete dedication to the charism and spirituality of our holy Founder, which he received from the Holy Spirit. Pallottine Fathers and Brothers, who are a part of the Union of the Catholic Apostolate, have the same call.
Fr. Galucci reminded us also of the experience of Apostles with Mary after the descent of the Holy Spirit, who went out of the Cenacle to proclaim their faith openly and without fear. We should be filled with the same zeal and enthusiasm having Mary Queen of Apostles as the model in our mission and as our intercessor before her son Jesus Christ. In the same attitude of gratitude and joy all the sisters present renewed their religious vows after the homily.
During the prayer of the faithful the sisters prayed for 10 provinces and 5 delegatures of our Congregations present on 4 continents of which some are growing and others getting older. One by one Sisters carried and placed near the tomb of our founder small flags representing our entities which were being mentioned in the intercessions.
At the end of the Mass, Sr. Josephina D’Souza, our Superior General, thanked everyone for their presence and prayer on this meaningful day. Then she and Sr Ivete Garlet CSAC, Superior General of the Roman Pallottine Sisters with local superiors of the communities of both Congregations from Rome had the opportunity to pick up a name of one entity and a flag representing it to pray for the sisters belonging to it until the next Pentecost.
The day was very impressive and we hope that God’s blessings bestowed on us will still be given to all our Pallottine missions.
Text: Sr. Valeria Cosmas SAC
Photos: Fr. Showri Raju Yetukuri SAC
