Diocese: Florence
Pioneers: Sisters Irene Ralte, Joyce Lobo and Alwina Pereira
‘When God closes one door opens another’ is a well-known saying. Here the statement applies to the cessation of service of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters first at Casa di Reposo, Impruneta, Florence from May 31, 2002 and then at Casa Padre Pio, Florence from December 31, 2010. Sisters Lenita D’Souza, Emy Sequeira, Lucy Cutinha, Jessie D’Souza and Cecilia Pinto rendered their service at Impruneta till 2001. Later the Sisters began serving at Casa Padre Pio, Florence. When their service at Casa Padre Pio was wound up they arrived on December 31, 2010 at Casa Francescana della Pietà (Franciscan Mercy Home) in the diocese of Florence in Italy.
Even though the Sisters have ceased serving at Padre Pio Centre in Florence nearly three years ago, a brief report on it is in place, due mainly to the philanthropic favours the Congregation has been receiving through it. Mgr Gian Carlo Setti, a holy man and friend of Blessed Mother Teresa of Kolkata and Saint Padre Pio, was the parish priest at San Remigio and Director of the Padre Pio Centre, both located in one campus, situated 3 kilometres south of Florence railway station. He coordinated the diocesan vocation promotion programme and various prayer groups; he also organized regualar pilgrimages to sancutaries of Catholic faith both within and outside Italy. In his several programmes both in the parish and in the centre, he sought assistance of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters.
Sisters Jessy P D’Souza, Maria Magdalene Mascarenhas and Cecilia Pinto arrived at Padre Pio Centre on October 9, 2001. They were provided with a tiny apartment for their residence in the vicinity of the Centre; it contained three rooms and a dining hall. The Sisters named it Casa Padre Pio (Abode of Padre Pio); Mgr Gian Carlo Setti inaugurated it on the same day. During the occasion, he spelled out the tasks of the Sisters as care of the House of God and management of the Padre Pio Centre. At Casa Padre Pio, the Sisters were involved in catechizing and coaching slow-learning children. They also spent quality time with the aged who arrived to the Centre seeking companionship.
It ought to be pointed out that the Centre besides its several humanitarian activities caters to the neediest. It finances the disadvantaged of the parish such as widows, students, non- Italian families; it also funds developmental works of the developing countries such as Tanzania, India.... It ought to be noted that the Centre donates freely its profits to the poor, made especially during the novenas held in honour of St Padre Pio. The Centre could retain its returns for itself precisely because the whole of Europe has been railing under the weight of economic crisis. Francis’ spirit of total self-giving seems to flood through St Padre Pio in and through the Centre. Sudden demise of Mgr Setti on September 21, 2002 due to cancer was a blow to the new mission. Fr Francesco Saverio Bazzoffi occupied the place of Mgr Setti. His arrival paved the way to undertaking several major projects of the Congregation chiefly of construction in India. At his transfer after three years, the parish was entrusted to the Fathers of Philip Neri Congregation. As they had a residence of their own, the Sisters on December 20, 2006, moved to the parish house (from the rented house) which was more spacious and safer. By this time, Europe was battling with global economic crisis, which impacted the San Remigio and the Padre Pio Centre. The crisis was so severe that the parish found it difficult to remunerate the Sisters. Following this, Sisters Lilly Gonsalves and Joyce Lobo approached Monsignor Claudio Maniago, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Florence Diocese, on September 1, 2010. He assured them of an immediate solution; he also reassured them that their services were required in the Diocese.
Providentially, the Sisters were contacted by Mr Dario (a well-wisher of the Sisters) on September 28 and informed that services of a religious congregation were required at Campi Bisenzio at a Home for the Aged. On the same day Fr Giam Piero, Spiritual Director of Opera Francescana Della Pietà, Campi, Bisenzio confirmed the news by offering them an invitation to the institute. On September 30 Mr Lazzeri Renzo, the President of the Opera Francescana della Pietà and Mr Marco Musmeci, President of the Casa Francescana della Pietà visited the Sisters at Casa Padre Pio and briefed about the institute and its need for service of a religious Congregation. On October 4, 2010 the matter was discussed at Opera Francescana Della Pietà by the officials of the institute and Sr Doreen D’Souza, the Superior General, Sr Leena Rodrigues, the Regional Superior, Sr Akhonuo Mary, the Coordinator of Italian Zone and the Sisters; the matter was reported to the Bishop who appreciated the services of the Sisters at Padre Pio Centre; he also wished them well in their new mission. On October 5, 2010 an agreement was signed assenting to take up the new mission.
On December 31, 2010 Sisters Joyce Lobo and Alwina Pereira departed from Padre Pio Centre, a Franciscan abode, for Opera Francescana della Pietà, a Franciscan fraternity. On the following day, they commenced their service for the sick- aged. Sr Christina Mary having been freed from Monte San Savino for 30 days assisted them. On March 15, Sr Irene Ralte joined the community as its animator. On March 27, 2011, the new community was officially inaugurated. The Sisters render their wholehearted service at the institute. Besides serving at the Institute, they are involved in faith formation of people and in pastoral ministry. The Sisters extend their service whenever possible at Virginiolo, the pilgrimage centre. They visit families, distribute Communion to the sick and pray with them.
As the residence of the Sisters is spacious, it is being used for hosting various events of the European Region. They are, Regional Chapter and Mission Day in June 2013. Observance of the Mission Day was intended to acquaint people with missionary activities in India; it also has collected funds for the cause. The management of the Institute has been supportive of these events especially by extending accommodation to the Sisters. It has also expressed its contentment regarding the service of the Sisters. New members have been joining the institute: Sr Arockiammal in March 2012 and Sr Lilly Gonsalves in June 2012. Sr Joyce is pursuing her nursing study in India. Besides the service at the institute, the Sisters cater to the spiritual needs of the people. They keep the House of God ready for prayer and lead prayers in the chapel of the institute.
Several bishops, priests, religious, and their relatives from India, and abroad including Africa visit the Sisters. Each individual cherishes their hospitality along with a delicious and sumptuous meal. As in other European communities, here too, the Sisters share household chores; they themselves prepare their meals. The Sisters count God’s blessings and sing God’s mercies. Surrendering themselves in the hand of the Lord who has been guiding them in the past years, they trust in the continuous assistance of the Lord. They also implore the Patrons who have lived and trodden the land in which they live, to continue to guide and bless them.
