Nine Sisters from different parts of the world are taking part in an intense period of charismatic formation, retracing the places that marked the origins of the Institute founded by Saint Magdalene of Canossa.
Promoted by the General Council, this programme forms part of a broader journey of renewal that places formation at the heart of the Institute’s life, as a means of safeguarding and revitalising its charism. Over the course of these months, the Sisters are given the opportunity to deepen the roots of their vocation and rediscover the “flame that never dies”, the same flame that guided the Foundress in her first steps.
Visiting the founding houses is not merely a geographical return, but a true spiritual pilgrimage. In these places, where everything began, the Sisters encounter in a tangible way the faith, courage, and charity that inspired Magdalene and her first companions.
“Returning to the foundations of our Foundress has been a deeply moving experience,” one participant shares. “Seeing our elderly Sisters still radiant with zeal and fidelity is a powerful testimony that love never grows old.”
For many, this journey has also become an opportunity to renew their vocation. “Walking in Magdalene’s footsteps brings me back to the origins of our mission,” another Sister reflects. “It invites me to trust in God, to serve with joy, and to keep the flame of love alive wherever I am.”
This experience is not only a return to the past, but also a step towards the future. In a rapidly changing world, marked by new challenges and, in some regions, a decline in vocations, rediscovering one’s roots becomes a source of hope and renewal.
The Mother House, the spiritual heart of the Institute, continues to be a living point of reference: a place that preserves memory while at the same time renewing the mission.
As one participant recalls, “A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for.” In the same way, the Sisters are called to go forth, to bring the Gospel of charity into the world, following the Foundress’ invitation: to make Jesus known and loved.
This time of formation thus emerges as a precious gift: an opportunity to pause, to reflect on one’s journey, and to set out once more with renewed enthusiasm, confident that the charism received continues to live and bear fruit in the life of the Church and in the world.