Theme of the General Chapter XXII

“Called to be today sign and expression of the foreseeing love of God”

XXII General Chapter of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians – Rome

The 22nd General Chapter of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians with the theme “Called to be, today, a sign and expression of the foreseeing love of God”, officially opened on 18th September 2008. Present on the occasion were eminent persons like Cardinal Raffaele Farina, librarian and archivist of the Holy Roman Church, ArchBishop Gianfranco Gardin, secretary of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life, Rev.Fr. Pascual Chavez Villanueva, Rector Major of the Salesians accompanied by his Vicar, Fr.Adariano Bregolin and a few members of the Salesian General Council. Sr. Piera Cavaglia, moderator of the Chapter introduced the ceremony, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, in the name of the Holy Father. It was followed by words of greetings from Arch Bishop Gianfranco, Rev. Rector Major, Rosario Mairano, coordinator general of the Don Bosco Volunteers and two young people representing youth. Mother Antonia said, “The chapter opens after a period of reflection and study. Mother Antonia said “The chapter opens after a period of reflection and study. It will help the sisters to face up to the current challenges of education as new opportunities for our mission and to know how to find the ‘Kairos’ in these ‘difficult times’. Our Founders experienced the foreseeing love of God in the simple yet essential connection between the passion for Christ and the passion for humanity, a link to be found, as the holy founders pointed out, in a special love for those young people most in need. Mary, ‘the masterpiece of God’s foreseeing love’ remains as the teacher and guide of the Institute. The Preventive System needs to be given fresh life and so make us for the young credible witnesses of God’s love. During the chapter which concluded on 15 Novemebr, the members were called to elect a new Superior General and her council. The Chapter members felt the living presence of the Holy Spirit all through the celebration of this historical event of the Institute.

Mother General & General Councillors

Chapter Transmission



Greatest of all is Love

Vibrant with the spirit of General Chapter XXII, Sr. Rosy Malayatty, Our Provincial and Sr.Celine Jacob the delegate of our province for the General Chapter XXII, conducted Chapter transmission in three centres of our province as per schedule i.e. Bangalore – Sacred Heart Convent , Palluruthy, and in Ongole. The essence of the Chapter “Greatest of all is love” was conveyed to the sisters with the aid of multimedia. The well prepared prayer and meditation, the introductory talk and other sessions transported us into the chapter hall in Rome. We really experienced the Salesian warmth of the atmosphere and the greatest of our Congregation. We grasped the importance of accompaniment as an experience of communion and as a style of expressing love. We acknowledged that:

* Jesus Christ is the most surpassing sign of God’s love.

* Our Founders are the signs of God’s love in the Church for the young people and for the world.

* The young boys and girls are the gift of the father’s love for us and for the society.

* The educating community is the sign that makes the love of God visible.