The msmhc of Italian Delegation conducted its spiritual Annual Retreat on 10th to 15th Aug,2012 in Val di Lanzo Torinese. In the Sanctuary of St. Ignatius up on the mountain away from heat and modern city and busy life. This retreat was preached by Rev. Sr. Philomena Mathew, the Superior General on the theme: 'Bishop Ferrando the Apostle of Christ'.
The retreat began with the salutary words from the Delegate Superior Rev. Sr. Bridget Jacob who exhorted the participants to maintain both interior and exterior silence in order to benefit from the retreat. She then thanked mother Philo Mathew for her motherly love, which enable her to forgo all conveniences in order to give spiritual nourishment to her children.
From the very inception of the retreat, mother draws our special attention to the uniqueness of the place where we were; on the holy mount of the sanctuary of St. Ignatius of Loyala. And much more as our many saints dear to our hearts set their footings on this holy beautiful mount such as St. Joseph Cafasso the confessor of Don Bosco, st. John Bosco and his successor Bl. Micheal Rua .. They left their footprints of immortality and beckoning us to follow .
On the very lap of nature , breathing the fresh mountain air, with magnificent beauty of the mountains, hills, rivers and wood surrounding us we sat at the feet of the Lord listening to Him speaking to us through our mother.
Our whole retreat was centered around the person of our holy founder Bp. Stephen Ferrando and his deep-profound spirituality. Mother, in all sincerity presented to us the heroic personality of our founder and his wish for his spiritual daughters. Her thorough mastering of the knowledge created a magic link between us and our founder in such a manner that we could feel the heartbeats of our founder.
"Never ever realize that we have such a great and holy founder", was the spontaneous expression of the participants. We have in the words of Sr.Leoni Kandulna who says,"As for me this retreat really touched the core of my being. It helped me to know deeply the heart and mind of our founder. And made me realize how I should face or meet the challenges of life in faith especially in times of difficulties.
And how to trust in God like our founder, above all to strive for holiness, embrace the cross happily and die to self every moment in order to become Christ-like".
" ALLELUIA ! PRAISE GOD IN HIS SANCTUARY " Ps 150:1