The Plenary Council has reached half-way of its journey. And providence wanted it to be a Pentecost weekend. Saturday was the feast of our Missionary Sisters Our Lady of the Apostles. There was a short session in the morning and the rest of the day was dedicated to celebrating with the OLA sisters of the communities in Rome. After preaching the recollection for the opening of the Plenary Council, the indefatigable Fr. Michel Bonemaison, SMA, presided at the Mass in the presence of the SMA fathers and several other guests. In his homily, he thanked God for the precious gift of the vocation of our sisters. They are, in fact, Women Apostles rooted in the Word of God. They give themselves the courage to go out to a humanity that needs a motherly presence that is constantly consoling. With great perseverance, they always seek to be the seeds of communion and hope. They bear witness to God’s love by trying above all to live in unity as the Lord has recommended.

But why the feast, on this day of the eve of Pentecost?

It should be remembered that the name “Our Lady of the Apostles” was chosen by the Founder, Father Augustin Planque, SMA, after having prayed in Rome at the tomb of Peter. It evokes the days when the Twelve Apostles persevered in prayer in the Cenacle with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, awaiting the Holy Spirit, before being sent out on the roads of the world to proclaim the Gospel.

Pentecost sunday at the monastery

After this day of thanksgiving for the life of our sisters, the Holy Spirit made an appointment with our Fathers Superiors in the highlands of the South-East of the Lazio Region. Indeed, like pilgrims armed with courage and faith, they did not hesitate to set out to climb “Monte Cassino”, to commune with Saint Benedict in the monastery that he himself founded in this high place where the Holy Spirit has transformed so many lives. The highlight of the outing was the Mass concelebrated with the 192nd successor of St. Benedict, Father Donato Ogliari. Mass during which thirty (30) faithful received their sacrament of confirmation.

Pierre-Paul DOSSEKPLI