On September 8, 2024, the Novitiate Community joyfully celebrated its 40th Foundation Anniversary with the theme “Homecoming of the Heart: 40 Years of Blessings in the Accompaniment Ministry with Mary.” The occasion coincided with the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a fitting day to honor the motherly presence that has guided the community throughout its journey of faith and formation.
Fr. Stephen Mifsud, MSSP, led the celebration, offering profound insights into the theme. He emphasized the significance of the heart, not only as the core organ that sustains physical life but also as the storehouse of our spiritual treasures. Drawing on both physiological and biblical perspectives, Fr. Stephen explained that the heart is where our most cherished values and deepest desires reside. He encouraged everyone to safeguard the treasures in their hearts, particularly their consecration, so that when temptations arise, they remain steadfast in their vocation and mission.
The day was filled with moments of reflection, celebration, and renewal. As the Novitiate community gathered to recall four decades of blessings, they expressed profound gratitude for the guidance and support they have received over the years. It was a time to honor the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future with hope, strengthened by Mary’s constant presence as a loving guide and companion.
The take-away from this blessed celebration? To take care of our spiritual life, nurturing a heart that is always connected to the Sacred Heart of Jesus on the Cross and to Mary at the foot of the Cross. As St. Magdalene of Canossa, the Foundress of the Canossian Sisters, exhorted, our spiritual life is the wellspring that animates our mission and consecration. With Mary, we renew our commitment to be women of loving relationships, letting our hearts beat in sync with the hearts of Jesus and Mary, carrying out the ministry of accompaniment with deeper compassion and faithfulness.
The 40th Foundation Anniversary was not only a homecoming of hearts, but a reaffirmation of the community’s dedication to the mission. United in faith and inspired by the Blessed Mother, the Novitiate community looks forward to continuing its journey, confident that the treasures in their hearts will guide them as they walk in hope and love.
May the blessings of this special celebration continue to inspire and sustain the Novitiate community in the years to come, with Mary’s heart as their constant guide and inspiration.
