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UAC NEWSLETTER
February
2013
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Dear sisters and brothers in
the Union,
we are very happy to present to you in
this newsletter a reflection on the Pia Casa di Carità in Rome, prepared by Sr.
Lilia Capretti CSAC, along with other news from the UAC.
1. THE PIA CASA DI CARITA’ IN ROME
The root
source of every action and work of St. Vincent Pallotti was always the Love of
Christ, in whose light are perceived the goodness of God and human needs.
Vincent
lived in Rome of the 1800s; he knew its needs and its strengths and, as a
priest apostle, addressed its problems, challenges and stresses, seeking to
give possible responses. As early as 1835, together with his collaborators, he
had given temporary accommodation with reliable families to lone girls; but as
the numbers grew, he sought a suitable house at S. Maria Maggiore. With the
cholera of 1837, the number of young girls who were without parents and in need
grew and, in 1838, Vincent obtained part of the building of Mons. Antonio
Fuccioli, in Rione Monti, having requested it from Pope Gregory XVI. The
upgrading having been completed, Vincent took possession of it on June 5th,
accompanying 37 girls in procession, and with an impressive ceremony introduced
the girls whom he entrusted to the mistress Elisabetta Cozzoli and, after
having blessed house, placed under the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Queen of Apostles, St. Francis of Assisi and St. Stanislas Kostka. Vincent was appointed Rector of the work.
Giacomo Salvati was the Procurator and the soul of the Pia Casa. A Deputation
of 5 people, appointed for life, each with their own responsibilities, was
established for the administration. The Pia Casa was also the cradle in which
the Congregation of the Pallottine Sisters was born, which, with ups and downs,
some of them painful, was confirmed and extended in various Italian and foreign
communities. From the very beginning Vincent entrusted to the Sisters, then
called ‘mistresses’, the task of providing for the girls and for their growth and
instruction, but above all for their education, since Vincent saw in this
foster care the future of that generation, of the Church and of society. And he
wanted them to be good Christians and faithful citizens.
Vincent
wanted the place where the children were accommodated to be called the “Pia
Casa di Carità” and not Conservatory or Refuge, as had been the custom at the
time. And it is clear that the new title must have been loaded with
significance. In 1839, for health reasons, Vincent had to go to Camaldoli,
above Frascati, and remain there about four months. Meanwhile, he wrote “The
Rules for the Pia Casa. His absence was strongly felt especially by the Sisters
and the girls. It was not always easy to be understood by the administrators
who sometimes even disagreed with St. Vincent himself: But he saw everything in
the light of the Paschal Mystery, and believed that the works of God had to
bear “the sign of the cross”. Vincent also had a school opened which had to
receive pupils who lived outside the house and which was completely free.
Unfortunately, St. Vincent died early and, notwithstanding the goodwill of
everyone, problems and sufferings, but also graces, were not lacking.
In 1862
the administrative structure was modified with the passing of the jurisdiction
from the Pallottine Priests and Brothers to the Cardinal Vicar (Vicariate of
Rome). From this came many changes:
Gioachino Carmignani, who can well be called the Cofounder of the Pia
Casa, got recognition for the Pia Casa as a “Moral entity” with the Royal
Decree of July 19th 1874. The Interior Ministry constituted the Pia Casa di
Carità as an Entity of assistance and charity (IPAB). Among the various
Monsignors of the Vicariate who alternated the Presidency of the Pia Casa,
great merit is owed to Monsignor Valeriano Sebastiani who, for about twenty
years, was a real man of Providence, especially in supporting the young
Congregation of Sisters. After a number of years, Cardinal Luigi Traglia
thought it good to pass the Presidency back to the Pallottine Priests and
Brothers: the first to have the task of President was Fr. William Moehler, ex
Superior General of the Society, who carried out this task until 1977. After
him, Cardinal Ugo Poletti appointed Fr. Domenico Pistella, Provincial Superior
of the Italian Province of the Pallottine Priests and Brothers, to succeed
him.
Meanwhile,
the law was changing in Italy and among the many novelties there was also the
change of structure for children and young people accommodated in Homes.
Instead of Colleges, new structures of assistance were envisaged and then
realised: family houses, group apartments, Community accommodation. We will not
dwell on an explanation, but it is necessary to say that with the approval on
the part of Lazio Regional Council, the Pia Casa was registered as a juridical
person of the court of Rome, with new Statutes and a new Council. The first
president of the new structure was Fr. Mario Proietti with the collaboration of
five other councillors.
Today the
Pia Casa still welcomes children in need, mostly coming from immigrant peoples;
the number has decreased precisely because of the new structure. The assistance
of children and their education is taken care of by the Sisters, who are
completely at the disposition of the work, and it must be said that they do
form the girls very well and help their families greatly.
2. CELEBRATIONS FOR THE CLOSING OF THE JUBILEE YEAR
Poland: On
January 20, in communion with the whole UAC, the Pallottine family in Poland
met in Gniezno to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the canonisation
of our Founder. About 500 people from different communities gathered in the
cathedral to start this great day by attending the Mass celebrated by the
Primate, Archbishop Józef Kowalczyk, and other bishops connected with the
Pallottine world, as well as numerous priests. After the Mass there was time
for an agape at the Pallottine Missionary Sisters’ house, where 350 people met
to share joy and a meal. The celebration ended the Jubilee Year, during which
the local Pallottine families had gathered each month at one of the thirteen
“stations” around the country. Each celebration was accompanied by the
Cross-Relic of St Vincent Pallotti and had a different motto, the last one
being Holiness for Apostolate.
Brazil: The
General Secretary of the Union, Fr. Rory Hanly SAC, was invited to Brazil by
the NCC for the celebrations to mark the closing of the Jubilee Year there.
There were a number of significant events. From January 18-21, there were
celebrations in the Santa Maria area, with a Triduum of Masses in Pallottine parishes
in Faxinal do Sotorno, Santa Maria and Vale Veneto. Saturday 19th
was a day of reflection at the Schönstatt Marian Centre, Santa Maria, including
an eye-witness account of the Canonisation of St. Vincent from Fr. Aguinelo
Burin SAC, a talk by Fr. Angelo Londero SAC on ‘The lay faithful in the vision
of St. Vincent Pallotti’, a sharing by various members of the Pallottine family
representing different vocations on the theme ‘What does St. Vincent suggest to
me?’ and a message from Fr. Rory. The celebrations concluded with a final Mass in
the Shrine of Nossa Senhora Medianeira deTodas as Graças in Santa Maria on the
21st which was televised live nationwide. The Jubilee Year
officially closed at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida on Saturday
January 26th. The concelebrated Eucharist, again televised live
nationwide, was led by Bishop Julio Akamine, SAC, and attended by members of
the Pallottine family who, along with other pilgrims, had travelled from far
and wide to fill the very large basilica. This was followed by a Pallottine gathering
in an auditorium of the Shrine, with an audiovisual presentation on the
Canonisation of St. Vincent, a play on the life of St. Vincent by Pallottine
youth from Rio de Janeiro, a message from Fr. Rory and a final blessing from
Bishop Julio. During his time in Brazil, Fr. Rory
also had the opportunity to visit various Pallottine groups, houses,
seminaries, parishes and schools in Porto Alegre, Santa Maria, Londrina,
Arapongas, Cambé, São Paulo, Niterói and Rio de Janeiro, attending a variety of
celebrations, including the Silver Jubilee of Priestly Ordination of Bishop
Julio. Many thanks to everyone for their unfailing kindness, generosity and
welcome – it was a great privilege to experience firsthand the joy,
hospitality, faith, enthusiasm and commitment of the Pallottine family in
Brazil and the obvious love of so many people both young and old for St.
Vincent and his charism. The visit was also tinged with deep sadness following
the terrible news of the nightclub fire in Santa Maria on Sunday January 27th
that killed at least 239 people. Let us continue to pray for all of those who
lost their lives or who were seriously injured and for their families and
friends.
3. We pray very specially:
·
for Pope Benedict and for the upcoming conclave to elect a new Pope to
guide the Church wisely and faithfully in these challenging times
·
for the people of Santa Maria, Brazil, and all who have suffered
tragedies in recent times
·
for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Syria and all who
continue to experience the effects of warfare, violence, injustice and
persecution
