In recent weeks, Mother Josemary, member of the General Council of the Canossian Daughters of Charity, carried out her canonical visitation to the religious communities established in four emblematic locations across the Italian peninsula: Treviso, a key Canossian educational hub; Venice, a crossroads of culture and spirituality; Porto San Giorgio, a welcoming and vibrant community facing the sea; and Foggia, a land steeped in sanctity, devotion and tradition.
The canonical visitation is, for every religious community, a time of grace and discernment. It is not merely an exercise in organisational review, but above all a fraternal presence: that of the Superior General who, with attentive eyes and a mother’s heart, meets the sisters, listens to their stories, and accompanies each one on her path. For the Canossians, it is a precious opportunity to reflect anew on communal life in the light of Saint Magdalene’s charism, and to renew their commitment to education and charity.
Venice: Faith Between Water and History
The first stop brought Mother Josemary to Venice, a city like no other, marked by a millennia-old Christian presence. Its churches, squares and canals hold a spirituality that is quiet yet vibrant—born of the union between art, humanity and contemplation. In this singular and fragile context, the Canossian Sisters continue their pastoral mission in the very heart of the city. At the Canossian College of San Trovaso, where Mother Josemary spent joyful time with the resident university students, the house is described as “a place of friendship, reflection and search, where young women can share the challenges and joys of their academic journey, accompanied with discretion by the religious community.”
Treviso: When Education Is a Mission
In Treviso, Mother Josemary met with the religious community and visited the Canossian Institute—an educational reality embracing the full academic path, from primary school to secondary education, including professional training. The heart of the Canossian mission lies in accompanying young people, supporting their growth and the fulfilment of their dreams. Among the most forward-looking programmes offered is the ecological-digital applied sciences high school, which responds with vision and competence to the educational challenges of our time.
Porto San Giorgio: A Coastal Community of the Heart
The visitation continued in the community of Porto San Giorgio, in the Marche region, where the Canossian Sisters have long played a leading role in education and catechesis. The Canossian house is home to both a nursery and a primary school, alongside an active parish pastoral ministry. The community welcomes scout groups, prepares children for the sacraments, and accompanies young people in summer camps with the help of lay volunteer leaders. In the summer months, the house also hosts families for occasions such as birthdays, with special care given to parents and grandparents. Each July, the house opens its doors to international students—mostly from the United States—who come to nearby Fermo to study sign language and benefit from the house’s unique seaside location.
Foggia: Charity in the Land of Southern Saints
The final stage of the visit took place in Foggia, in the heart of Apulia—a region rich in popular devotion and deeply marked by the presence of Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, who lived and ministered here. The Canossian community is rooted in a setting rich in tradition but also marked by significant social challenges. With discretion and dedication, the Sisters witness to the Gospel through concrete proximity to the most vulnerable.
The visit unfolded in an atmosphere of simplicity and deep listening. The educational work is carried out by ENAC Puglia, an institution devoted to the Christian, social and moral advancement of individuals through education, orientation, vocational training and employment services. Particular attention is paid to those at risk of social or professional marginalisation.
A Charism That Walks Through Time
Mother Josemary’s presence left a lasting impression of gratitude and renewed hope in each community. The canonical visitation is not merely an institutional event, but a spiritual milestone—a call to return to what is essential: listening to the Word, living fraternity, and practising concrete love for the least among us.
In the path traced by Saint Magdalene, which spans centuries and takes flesh in the lives of so many sisters and lay people, each community becomes a small beacon. And in cities as diverse as Foggia, Venice, Porto San Giorgio and Treviso, the message remains one and the same: to be a living, humble presence of the Gospel, wherever life calls us to serve.
