Chronicles of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians
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Cronistoria Chronicles of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians edited by Sister Giselda Capetti, F.M.A. The institute of Mornese The first expansion 2 1872 - 1879 Don Bosco Publication New Rochele, New York Chronistoria: Chronicles of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in 5 volumes Traslated friom the original italian 1981 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians All rights reserved Library of Congress Catalog Numbers 80-68484 ISBN 0-89944-043-6 five volume series ISBN 0-89944-044-4 volume 1 ISBN 0-89944-045-2 volume 2 ISBN 0-89944-046-0 volume 3 ISBN 0-89944-047-9 volume 4 ISBN 0-89944-048-7 volume 5 Published for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians by Don Bosco Publications, New Rochelle,NY, 10802 Printed in U.S.A FOREWORD [p.iii] The second volume of the Cronistoria deals with that very important period in the life of the Institute from its foundation to the transfer of the Mother House from Momese to Nizza Monferrato (August, 1872 - February, 1879). They are years of great fervor and vitality which mark the first bloom of the primitive spirit, the first foundations in Italy and abroad and the first two missionary expeditions for Uruguay and Argentina. They are fruitful years characterized by frequent bereavements, and by unusual trials which reveal, through the insidious intervention of the enemy, the greatness of the mission entrusted to the Institute, and bring into relief the extraordinary assistance from on high which accompanied it from the very outset. The narrative proceeds year by year: the various events of simple episodes, as has been already noted in Volume I, are indicated by the marginal notes of the original typewritten copy, so as to facilitate research. The layout was revised and in some measure reelaborated a few times over the years as further incidents or clarifications of certain facts came to light. The abundant correspondence between Mother Clelia Genghini, and Father Amadei and Father Ceria, (with their innumerable corrections and additions), bear this out. The compilation was made from documents then unpublished, which were later included in Volumes XI, XII, and XIII of the Memorie Biografiche of Don Bosco. It was, therefore, considered opportune not to add to the already extensive bulk of appendices, by always reporting the entire text of these documents, but to refer the reader to the Memorie Biografiche with precise indications. [p. iv] In the revision for printing, the original text was maintained as far as possible with the exception of some touches in the format and some slight transposition required for greater clarity. In an old document still kept in the archives the earnest desire of Mother Daghero and her Counselors of having a simple but complete chronicle of the Institute is recorded: "Avail yourselves of every possible testimony, written or oral, and of all the documents scattered, scrappy, incomplete and sometimes nearly illegible, which can be gradually collected to draw up a narrative as detailed as possible, to witness to the beautiful simplicity and robust paternal and material vigor of the two brilliant figures: Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello. " The present volume seems to answer the criteria. Rome, February 2, 1976 Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Sister GISELDA CAPETTI CONTENTS iii FOREWORD 1 1872 Troubles were not wanting, 1. – ''What they say doesn't matter," 4. – The first weekly conference, 4. – Admirable prudence of Father Pestarino, 5. – The first school of humility, 6. – New postulants and old poverty, 8. – Consoling prophecies, 9. – A precious gift from Baby Jesus, 9. – Mother's intuition reads the soul of Emilia Mosca, 10. – The novice Clara Spagliardi withdraws, 11. 13 1873 The Founder's wise project, 13. – The first "Via Crucis," 13. - Humble cordiality, 14. - The first to seek advice, 15. - Extraordinary confessor. First Lent in the school, 16. - Holy Week celebrated in the school for the first time, 16. - The Sisters of Saint Anne return, 18. - Providential helps, 18. - A fear, 20. - First Marian month at the school, 20. To see a living saint, 21. - The longed-for meeting, 22. - Consequences of the meeting. 24. - Enrichetta Sorbone at Mornese. 24. - Reminiscences. 25. - Mornesian liberality. 27. - The Vicar observes Enrichetta's qualities and prepares her. 27. - Spontaneous humility, 29. - Preparation for the Bishop's return, 30. - Retreat preparatory to professions and clothings, 31. - "Veni Sponsa Christi:" 32. - Anguish and triumph of Sister Corinna, 32. - Don Bosco arrives, 33. - Don Bosco has to anticipate his departure. 35. - The crown of roses, 35. - The first anniversary opens with the "sermon of the souvenirs." 36. - Clothings and professions. The Bishop's sermon. 36. - Other novelties. 37. - The crowns to Mary Help of Christians, 38. - Pastoral visit and Confirmations, 38. First episcopal privileges. 39. - Examinations and awards in the boarding school, Mornese. 39. - Departure of the Sisters' of Saint Anne, 40. Sister Mazzarello insists on asking for a Superior, 40. - Mornese boarding school becomes better known, 41. - Mrs. Blengini, 42. - More time for prayer? 43. - And the food? 44. - Mortification and charity, 44. The Vicar enters fully into Don Bosco's views on instruction, 45. A surprise, 46. - Mrs. Blengini and Don Bosco. 46. - The first midnight mass in the school, 47. 49 1874 [p.vi] The first grave, 49. - Anxious doubt, 49. - Father Pestarino's report, 50. - A significant episode, 52. - The Holy Father's "keepsakes," 53. - Father Cagliero's visit, 54. - First spiritual exercise for the boarders, 55. - God is the confessor, 55. - Paternal dispositions, 56. - Don Bosco and the approval of the Constitutions, 58. - A noble competition, 60. - Poor Corinna! 60. - A tearful! "Via Crucis," 62. - Corinna is not forgotten, 63. - Family news, 63. - Approval of the Salesian Constitutions and consequences for the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, 64. - Mrs. Blengini will not return to Mornese, 65. - The letter of humility, 67. - More postulants and the Sorbone children, 67. - The Vicar will take care of the little ones, 68. - Corinna returns, 69. - A postulant very dear to Jesus, 70. - An indescribable joy, 70. - Father Pestarino leaves this world for heaven, 71. - Beneficient even in death, 74. - The first photograph of Father Pestarino. Funeral arrangements, 75. - Father Cagliero arrives, 76. - Funeral, 77-. - The boarder Emilia Chiara dies, 77. - The new Director, 78. - Sister Corinna goes to heaven, 78. - Don Bosco comes in person to comfort the Sisters, 79. - First reference to Borgo San Martino and to the election of the Superior, 81. - The enemy does not sleep, 82. - Simple souls, 83. - The little ups and downs of Mornesian life, 83. - Don Bosco's talk, 84. - Further changes in the habit, 84. - Don Bosco and the Mornesians, 85. - Don Bosco writes to Mrs. Pastore, 86. - First elections and first Chapter, 87. - Directives and disciplinary norms, 88. - A conference for Superiors only, 89. - To Turin for the exams, 90. - New anxieties, 91. - A gift from Dur Lady on the feast of her Assumption, 91. Spiritual exercises, 92. - The family increases, 92. - The Director is very ill, 93. - A vocation resisted, 93. - Father Joseph Cagliero dies. The Director General returns to Mornese, 95. - Father Cagliero admires Mother's spiritual intuition, 96. - The new Director, Father Costamagna, 97. - Father Bonetti at Mornese, 99. - To the new hive, 100. - More departures, 101. - Mother's first visit to Turin, 101. - The First Daughter of Mary Help of Christians to be appointed for a public school, 102. - Solemnity of All Saints: Mother's exhortation, 102. - An Episcopal Decree, 103. - Novena and feast of Mary Immaculate, 103. - Novena and feast of Christmas, 105. - Creativity of Sister Enrichetta and charming episodes, 106. 109 1875 Our religious greeting, 109. - Mother sees, works and consoles, 110. - Fruits of holy piety, 112. - Poor but happy, 113. - The Director's action, 114. - Variations in community practices, 116. - Laundry at the river, 117. - Sanctifying Mardi Gras, 118. - More postulants. Voca- [p. vii] tion of obedience, 118. - Novena to Saint Joseph. A rose for heaven, 120. - New perplexities, 120. - Feast of Saint Joseph, 121. - Maria Belletti enters, 121. - The keys of the House to Mary Help of Christians, 124. - Postulants from Sondrio and Turin, 124. - Don Bosco's reply, 125. - Mornese's first statue of Mary Help of Christians, 126. - The best practice, 126. - Serenading the Help of Christians, 126. - No longer like monks, 127. - White gowns for the clothing, 128. - A tonsure and a first mass (May 23), 128. - The black habit, 129. - A wonderful evening, 129. - Mother's work on souls, 130. - A "postUlant" turned down, 132. - Two other student Sisters at Turin, 132. - Father Rua's first visit, 133. - Welcomed visitors, 134. - An outing, 134. - The Sisters of Borgo San Martino, 135. - Difficulties in community, 135. - The Hail Mary for peace in the House, 136. - Tlie 'Good Night' outdoors, 136. - Spared a humiliation, 137. - Spiritual exercises, 137. - Don Bosco announces perpetual vows, 137. - First final profession and other temporary professions, 139. - Don Bosco's souvenirs, 140. - The Founder on enclosure, 140. - Don Bosco revises the Rules of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians at Ovada, 142. - Angelina Sorbone won over by Mother's kindness, 142. - November: departure of Father Cagliero for America, 143. - Mother goes to Borgo and Turin in connection with Mrs. Bacchialoni, 144. - The builders withdraw, 144. - Feast of the Immaculate. Father Rua becomes Director General, 145. - A defection, 146. - Father Campi's first mass. First Communions at Christmas, 146. - The other Arecco sister, 147. - The Year ends happily, 148. - Mother writes to Father Cagliero, 149. Father Costamagna's postscript, 153. 157 1876 Decree of approval of the Constitutions "ad experimentum," 157.