Christian Family Life

Saint Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception was born on May 1, 1856 as Adelaide Brando in Naples, Italy. Her mother died shortly after giving birth. Her father remarried and the parent’s homeschooled Adelaide and her siblings.

Adelaide attended daily Mass and took a personal vow of chastity hearing her call to the religious life at the very young age of 12.

Due to illness Adelaide left the monastery twice and once well enough, she joined the Sacramentine nuns taking the name Maria Cristina of the Immaculate Conception.

Maria Cristina founded the Sisters, Expiatory Victims of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament in 1878 and was granted papal approval on July 20, 1903, the day that Pope Leo XIII died. She went on to be Superior General of this organization.

She was extremely devoted to Our Lord and to be nearer in spirit and in body to the tabernacle, she built a cell adjacent to the church, which she called the "grotticella” or “little grotto”. She spent every night seated in a chair drawing her strength from the Adoration of Our Lord.

The Holy See granted the Congregation approval and received the definitive name of the Sisters, Expiatory Victims of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on 15 June 1903.

On 20 January 1906 Mother Maria Christina died. She would be remembered for the burning love of God and neighbour that characterized her life. Often she would tell her spiritual daughters: "Love of God and of neighbour are two branches that are connected to the same trunk. The love of God gives life to the love of neighbour; and this, in turn, nourishes love towards God".

Pope Francis declared the canonization of Maria Cristina on May 17, 2015; another saint for us to pray to.

Madam President I have chosen the Beatitude "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God."

I believe that this particular Beatitude is befitting of my standing committee as to be pure of heart means to be free of all selfish intentions and self-seeking desires. What a beautiful goal! How many times have any of us performed an act perfectly free of any personal gain? Such an act is pure love. Marriage and family: a couple uniting as one professing their love of one another through marriage and the raising of a family.

Sanctity of life: the precious gift of the birth of a child until the natural death of a person going back home to be with God. No euthanasia. No assisted suicide. Pope Francis calls euthanasia a triumph of selfishness, not an act of compassion. Ministry to: youth, widowed, disabled, separated, seniors, divorced – each of these areas are special and unique in their own ways. God encompasses each of these persons and has a special place for them.

And lastly Vocations: our priests and religious … their pureness of mind to guide us all to see and know God better is truly a gift from God.

Each of the Beatitudes are poignant but I believe that Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God" captures my standing committee unsurpassed. News from my national counterpart unfortunately has not occurred since February. However, since last year we have all been focused and dedicated to the fight against euthanasia and assisted suicide as well as the rights of conscience and our fight must continue to protect the doctors and nurses whose own spiritual and personal belief does not allow them to be involved in this crime against God and humanity.

Madam President, the Year of Mercy has been a wonderful time for me to participate in the Works of Mercy in clothing the naked through a project that I am involved in through the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board where we dress children and teens who are underprivileged with clothes for their First Communion, Confirmation, graduation and prom. It is both emotional and rewarding and I am blessed to be involved.

Rosanne Sogan, Christian Family Life Standing Chairperson