On Sunday the 21st of September, the Saint Saviour community joined the Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for a mass of thanksgiving on the occasion of the decree recognizing the heroic virtues of their founder the now-Venerable Margherita of the Sacred Heart (Virginia Brincat), the Maltese sister-founder of the congregation, as well as the fiftieth anniversary of religious life of Sister Mary, superior of the congregation’s community in Jerusalem.
The simple and prayerful celebration was presided over by Father Custos Pierbattista Pizzaballa and was an opportunity for the Saint Saviour friars to thank the sisters for their humble, discreet service.
Father Noel Muscat, superior of the Anastasis fraternity and Maltese like the founder and most of the community’s sisters, gave the homily. After commenting on the day’s readings, which were well suited to spirit of the sisters’ service, he sketched the founder's life in a few words. Father Noel’s homily, the prayer of the faithful, and warm comments from the Custos were all an opportunity for the Custody of the Holy Land to thank the sisters for their devoted service to the friars.
After the service, which was also attended by other sisters, the congregation was invited to light refreshment in the monastery’s refectory.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart came to Jerusalem in 1980, their congregation’s centennial year. Today they number five. Sr. Mary, the superior, works with Sr. Cilia and Sr. Carolina in the kitchen, Sr. Fedelina works in the monastery’s infirmary, and Sr. Anna Erica in the sacristy of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition were the first, in 1853, to come to participate in the Franciscan mission by taking charge of the Custody’s schools for girls.
Since then many congregations, members of the Franciscan family and others, have come to collaborate in the Custody’s mission. Whether undertaking the most hidden tasks or most exposed, they all share the same desire to cultivate the Lord’s vineyard in the Holy Land with the friars. May they all receive our thanks.
The simple and prayerful celebration was presided over by Father Custos Pierbattista Pizzaballa and was an opportunity for the Saint Saviour friars to thank the sisters for their humble, discreet service.
Father Noel Muscat, superior of the Anastasis fraternity and Maltese like the founder and most of the community’s sisters, gave the homily. After commenting on the day’s readings, which were well suited to spirit of the sisters’ service, he sketched the founder's life in a few words. Father Noel’s homily, the prayer of the faithful, and warm comments from the Custos were all an opportunity for the Custody of the Holy Land to thank the sisters for their devoted service to the friars.
After the service, which was also attended by other sisters, the congregation was invited to light refreshment in the monastery’s refectory.
The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart came to Jerusalem in 1980, their congregation’s centennial year. Today they number five. Sr. Mary, the superior, works with Sr. Cilia and Sr. Carolina in the kitchen, Sr. Fedelina works in the monastery’s infirmary, and Sr. Anna Erica in the sacristy of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Sisters of Saint Joseph of the Apparition were the first, in 1853, to come to participate in the Franciscan mission by taking charge of the Custody’s schools for girls.
Since then many congregations, members of the Franciscan family and others, have come to collaborate in the Custody’s mission. Whether undertaking the most hidden tasks or most exposed, they all share the same desire to cultivate the Lord’s vineyard in the Holy Land with the friars. May they all receive our thanks.