EUROPE/ITALY - 100th anniversary of the approval of the Capuchin Sisters of Immaculate Mary of Lourdes, now present in Brazil, Mexico, Albania and Madagascar, ready "for any work of charity"

Palermo (Agenzia Fides) - The Capuchin Sisters of the Immaculate of Lourdes celebrate on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2009, the centennial anniversary of the congregation and its aggregation to the Capuchin Order. As Agenzia Fides learns from Fr. John Spagnolo, it was in fact the Archbishop of Monreale, Domenico Gaspare Lancia of the Dukes of Brolo, who was the first to approve their Constitutions on 8 December 1909, and that the same day the Minister General of the Capuchin Friars, Pacific Seggiano, issued the decree of aggregation.
The Congregation was founded by the Venerable Sister Maria di Gesù Santocanale (1852-1923), for the sanctification of youth and the exercise of the works of mercy with homes for the sick, ready "for any work of charity." After these hundred years, the Capuchin Sisters are now present in 17 communities in Italy, Brazil (5 communities), Mexico (1 community), Albania (2 communities) and Madagascar (2 communities). They are involved in the human promotion of the woman, in job placement for women, and evangelization of youth, in the nursery, managing children's homes and orphanages, in parish pastoral care of the ill, care for the elderly, nursing and hospital care, and in the animation of the Franciscan groups.
In a letter to the Sisters on the occasion of the centenary, Fray Mauro Johri, Minister General of the Capuchin Friars Minor, encouraged them with these words: "May you keep your lifestyle intact, not in a mere repetition of gestures or habits, but reviving the fundamental intuition and inspiration of your Mother Foundress which is the ability to love others...”
For the Centenary celebration, the Sisters have scheduled a series of events beginning December 7, 2009, at the Mother House of Cinisi (Diocese of Monreale, Palermo Province), to go back to the roots of their identity, which has found its place in the Franciscan Capuchin family. In two rounds of training, January 3 to 17 2010, the religious will reflect on the development and changes in the Rule of the Third Order Regular and in their constitutions, over the 100-year journey. The Centenary will conclude at the tomb of the founder, also in Cinisi, with a Mass presided by Archbishop Salvatore Di Cristina of Monreale, during which all the sisters will renew their religious profession, remembering their Founder's words: “If when I die, I see that my institute is without charity, I will pray to the Lord to destroy it.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 27/11/2009)