Moscow (Agenzia Fides) - It is a small community only three Salesian nuns (FMA) plus a Delegation responsible also for communities in Belo-Russia, Georgia, Ukraine. They work at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception where they are involved in the care of the parish and catechesis which touches many bands of ages, from the smallest ones who are preparing for the first Communion to adolescents; to youth groups. On Sunday the religious animate a special Holy Mass for children, celebrated by a Salesian, with songs and an atmosphere of joy and simplicity, just as it would have pleased Don Bosco, despite the high vaults of the Cathedral rebuilt and re-consecrated only 4 years ago.
When they arrived in 1991, as a veteran nun, Sister Danuta, narrates, the situation was very different. The great building, like many other desecrated places of worship, had been divided into four floors with offices and state businesses
Following an order of the Mayor of Moscow in 1992 partial clearing started of the building reduced to crumbling conditions in more than one place. In the first premises cleared the Regina Apostolorum seminary was opened but only in 1996 the entire building was cleared and restoration began. It finished in 1999 with the restitution of the church to its role. Today the cathedral functions perfectly with a bookshop at the entrance and a series of rooms equipped for meetings of groups on the lower floor.
Here the sisters meet with adults and families for encounters with various groups. "We remember the years in which we taught catechism outside the church and it was so cold that even the wine for Mass froze" Sister Danuta recalls. "Then, as today, many adults came to visit us in search of the profound reasons which give meaning to life. They are looking for God".
A young FMA explains that "every year the presence of children and adults who pose themselves questions of faith increases. After many years of dominant atheism, there is among the people a great need to meet the Absolute. We see in this tension towards the faith a sign of a great works by the Lord who, despite many obstacles, does not abandon us: He calls every man to enter into communion with Him. We are there only to prepare for Holy Mass and keep the sacristy tidy. We are there to be with the people who often come to church with a great need to speak of their personal problems and to be listened to. There are many difficulties in families, both economic and personal".
The situation of the family in Russia today is really very difficult: there are numerous divorces, many children feel lonely because adults have no time for them because they are too busy earning money which is never enough to reach to end of the month. "Some times it happens that also in the city streets someone, meeting a nun, asks for a good word, some advice. Some times a stranger, perhaps among a crowd of tired faces at one of the many subway stops, asks us <pray, pray for me and for my children>. And that is what we do. Apart from this we feel we are not doing very much. But what we do, we do with love and confidence in the Lord who mysteriously and over everything else works mysteriously in the souls of people. We try to be a sign of the Lord's presence and the love in Moscow. We are, very simply, only instruments in his hands. Also with regard to dialogue among Christians, particularly with the Orthodox, accepting every man as a son of God. We hope that these lands, for so long deprived of religion, will be strengthened in the faith and in confidence in God the Father". The simplicity of these religious is the most disarming invitation to dialogue. (M. F.D'A.) (Fides Service 28/3/2003 EM lines 45 Words: 663)