On May 15, 2021, the Province Centre of the Salesian Sisters – Scoresby, came alive with the celebration of the feast of St. Maria Mazzarello founder with St. Don Bosco of the Salesian Sisters. (feast day 13th May)
The 3 Melbourne communities of FMA from Broadmeadows, Clayton and Scoresby joined in a truly Salesian Spirit of Joy and Celebration with the SDBs, Collaborators - who work very closely with the Sisters in their life and mission- and of course our young people.
The Eucharistic celebration began with a short introduction to the Life of Maria Mazzarello, followed by a procession of the 2 famous symbols and icons of her spirituality, as well as the picture of St. Maria with the young girls on a mountain.
Maria was well loved by the young girls of Mornese!
The Well which represents the virtues that characterised her life of poverty, sacrifice, humility and a depth of her spirituality and finally the Window which represents the silent witness of so many encounters of long hours or prayer of a heart on fire with longing for the Lord. Maria would, every evening, invite the family to pray the Rosary in this spot from where the distant village and parish church could be contemplated.
Salesian provincial Fr Will Matthews was the main celebrant, and the Eucharist was a simple, solemn but lively celebration with music & song led by Sr Rochelle Lamb FMA. The service concluded with the beautiful hymn “Maria Mazzarello a woman for all time” written by Sr. Rochelle Lamb, 2014.
The Eucharist was then followed by an enjoyable lunch where the Sisters and the extended Salesian family enjoyed time with each other as they shared a variety of simple homecooked meals and spread of desserts for all share and enjoy.
St. Maria Mazzarello’s life is indeed an inspiration to women of all ages. She is a true role model for so many of us young women. In today’s world, our dearest Salesian Sisters articulate these same characteristics through their service to God and the lay people they work with in guiding our futures through the many talents they share.
This simple yet powerful statement in Mary's own words sums everything up:
