Diocese: Arezzo
Pioneers: Sisters Cecilia Pinto and Apoline Rodrigues
Santa Maria Maddalena [Convent] is situated 22 kilometres east of Arezzo city in the diocese of Arezzo. The Convent, a compact house with seven rooms, a hall and a spacious chapel is indeed a blessing to the Sisters serving in Santa Maria Maddalena Home for the Aged at Monte San Savino. The house symbolizes the vision of Fr Silvano Nanni of Arezzo Diocese and a native of Monte San Savino. He had constructed it in 1966 as a summer house (colony) for youth. He welcomed the youth there who spent time together in games, prayer, and leisure, which was intended to form them into good Christians and good citizens. This noble outlook of Fr Silvano, should we say renders the Sisters doubly fortunate, not merely to own an appropriate house but also to reclaim such a mission at Monte San Savino.
The Sisters of Charity of Santa Giovanna Antida of Ferrara (Suore di Carità di Santa Giovanna Antida di Ferrara) had occupied the house for 33 years while serving at Santa Maria Maddalena, Home for the Aged, right from its inception in 1973. Fr Silvano let them occupy the house as they attended to the spiritual and physical well-being of the elderly at the institute. He handed over the house to Arezzo Diocese as he was advancing in age. As a common phenomenon of the European countries, the members of the Sisters of Charity Congregation have been also advancing in age; they were unable to perform their responsibility at the institute. Hence, the administration was on the lookout for a religious congregation that could take over.
In this milieu, the institute, through network/internet traced the existence of the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters at Serravalle. Fr Gualtiero Mazzeschi, the President of Santa Maria Maddalena visited the Sisters at Serravalle; with due procedure matters were finalized with the approval from the Superior General and Council and on January 1, 2006 Sr Cecilia Pinto arrived at Santa Maria Maddalena as a member of medical personnel. She resided with the Sisters of Charity; Sr Apoline Rodrigues, after her nursing course joined the Institute in February 2006. The Sisters of Charity departed from Monte San Savino in May 2006. Franciscan Sisters assisted Sisters Cicilia and Apoline until Sisters Saroja Mary and Mary Mathew joined the community on June 10, 2006 and Sr Lilly Gonsalves on June 13, 2006. Santa Maria Maddalena Convent was erected on July 8, 2006 on the feast of St Mary Magdalene. Sr Cecilia Pinto was appointed animator of the community. Sr Irene Ralte joined the community in August 2006 in view of pursuing her Bachelor in Theology studies at Arezzo. Further, Sr Leena Kishori joined the community in September 2006, Sr Precilla D’Souza in October 2006, Sr Robertine Rodrigues in March 2009 and Sr Christina Mary in October 2009.
Santa Maria Maddalena consists of 76 sick-aged persons. Seven of these are the diocesan (Arezzo) priests. The Sisters serve them with loving care. They accompany them for spiritual exercises such as Eucharist and Rosary; they also conduct Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for the inmates. When an inmate passes away, which is a frequent feature at the institute, the Sisters arrange the funeral service, pray Rosary and Vespers along with the family members of the diseased and participate in the funeral Mass. The Sisters visit families of inmates and thereby maintain a cordial bond with them. In brief, the Sisters do their utmost at the institute and they do it with a spirit of love and commitment.
The Institute offers opportunities to Sisters to upgrade their knowledge and skills by way of training programmes and short- term courses. Thus, Sisters Saroja Mary and Robertine have been able to complete their Basic Nursing Course and Sr Irene Ralte her BTh course. Five of the Sisters have completed their motor vehicle driving course. It is the ardent wish of the Congregation that the Sisters make their lives fruitful in the service of the marginalized at Santa Maria Maddalena.
