“SERVING THE 'PERIPHERIES AND NEW POVERTIES' OF THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD TODAY”
Our Ministries of Charity
Education
We are constantly challenged by the charismatic commitment to “prevent sin” as “the great proof of our love” for God and for our sisters and brothers whose “behaviour in life usually depends on the education received.” (UR pp. 119-120) Sharing the mission with the lay people, we foster the holistic growth of children, adolescents and young people giving particular attention to the “formation of the heart” (Ep III/3, p. 1834)
With love and respect we accompany them in the discovery and fulfilment of God’s plan for their life, so that they may offer their contribution to society and to the church for the transformation of the world according to Gospel values. (UR p. 123) We also promote adults, giving special attention to women, so that, aware of their dignity, they may carry out responsibly their mission in the family, society and Church. (RL No. 55)
Evangelization
“Jesus is not loved because He is not known”. We are convinced that there is “no act of charity as perfect as that of helping our neighbour to love God” therefore, we spend ourselves with untiring generosity in the various forms of evangelization.
Our charism gives us the grace to be “very zealous in this holy exercise” in the Church so that Christ may be the heart of the world. Called to break the bread of the Word of God, we collaborate with the pastors of the Church, other religious and lay people, so that every person may encounter Jesus who is the only answer to every question of the human heart. (RL No. 56)
Pastoral Health Care
We continue the loving attention of Magdalene for the sick, the living images of Christ himself, and we are ready if necessary to expose our lives in the exercise of holy charity. We visit the sick to assist and comfort them, with respect for their own beliefs, helping them to understand the redemptive value of suffering. In doing so we bear witness that the Lord is close to them when they are weak and ill. We help those who are recovering from illness to renew their trust in God and in life, and with gentleness and prudence prepare those who are close to death for their final encounter with the Father. (RL No. 57)
Formation of the Lay
To promote the “spread of the Glory of God” we form lay people, called by God to dedicate themselves to the apostolate, especially in the field of education, catechesis and charitable works so that they may become guides and animators in the ecclesial community and in society.” (RL No. 58) This ministry is present in all the Canossian communities.
Spiritual Exercises
We offer opportunities or times for special encounter with the Lord through the Spiritual Exercises in the forms of retreats, recollections and youth encounters. This is open to all our mission partners and those who desire to experience God in prayer, silence, solitude and contemplation.
The life of our Foundress, St. Magdalene of Canossa, was a continuous longing to promote and spread the glory of God. The ministry of Spiritual Exercises was the expression of this yearning.
Formation houses
The formation of a Canossian Daughter of Charity, Servant of the Poor, is a dynamic process through which the person allows herself to be continually moulded by the Father’s love into the likeness of Christ Crucified, through the work of the Holy Spirit. This is a life-long process, entrusted to communities in the formation houses of Paco, San Juan Novitiate and Hiyas for the elderly.
Special Ministries
Imitating Magdalene, a ‘prophet of her time’, the expert in reading the signs of the times and the innovator of fresh and suitable responses to new emerging needs, we too are attentive to listen, with an open heart and outstretched hands, to the new demands made by society within every culture.
As Servants of the Poor, we dedicate ourselves especially to all those whom Magdalene called “our Masters”. Our commitment to them urges us to work for justice, peace and integrity of creation, for it is the poor who are most adversely affected by the absence of these human and Gospel values. Our preferential option for the poor bears witness to the sincerity of our response to Christ’s love. (RL No. 53)
