Province Mother Caterina Podestà
Special Anniversaries Of Religious Life
On August 2nd, at the Conservatory of Chiavari, we joyfully celebrated the remarkable milestones of 60, 70, and 75 years of consecrated life of the Sisters of our Province. We marveled at their unwavering fidelity in responding to God’s infinite love, and we are deep-ly grateful to both the Lord and to them for the precious gift of lives devoted to serving others. This was a truly meaningful moment in their spiritual journey—a sacred pause to remember with gratitude, to give thanks… and to begin anew with renewed faith, hope, and joy.
The Eucharistic Celebration, beautifully presided over by His Excellency Monsignor Giam-pio Devasini, and the fellowship lunch that followed were attended with heartfelt emotion and profound joy by their dear relatives, numerous friends, and Sisters from various communities. We humbly ask the Lord, for our celebrated Sisters and for all of us, to help us respond generously to the pressing needs of today’s world, fulfilling His holy will each day with ever greater love and dedication.
Providence Mother Caterina Podestà
Jubilee at St. Peter’s
The wonderful group of Sisters who participated in the Spiritual Exercises course at the Retreat House in Ariccia, near Rome, had the blessed opportunity—thanks to the thought-ful initiative of our Provincial Mother—to join the Jubilee Pilgrimage to St. Peter’s Basilica onAugust 13th at 5:00 PM. Several Sisters from Roman communities also joined us in this sacred journey.
The gracious Jubilee volunteers, delighted to welcome us and entrusted us with guidingother pilgrim groups who were present at that time, even though not all spoke Italian. United in spirit, we followed the Jubilee Crossas we walked along the beautiful Via della Conciliazione toward the Basilica, praying the Holy Rosary and warmly engaging with our fellow pilgrims.
After reverently crossing the Holy Door and praying together with the groups entrusted to our care, we Sisters made our way to the magnificent mosaic of Saint Anthony Gianelli in the Basilica’s transept. There we paused in peaceful silence, reflected on a moving pas-sage from the homily “The Duty to Become Saints,” and offered our heartfelt prayers for our entire Institute.
St. Mary’s Province
Adventure Ahead!
Summer Fun at Gianelli’s Early Learning Center
Summer is a season of joy, exploration, and discovery! At Gianelli’s Early Learning Center, we hosted a lively 5-week summer camp from June 23 to July 25, 2025, running daily from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for our little adventurers aged 2–5 years.
Each week carried a fun theme: Under the Sea, Patriotic Week (celebrating USA’s 249th Independence Day), A Trip to Outer Space, Explore Transportation, and Creepy Crawly Creatures. The children enjoyed theme-based crafts, outdoor and indoor activities, and relaxing movie hours – all connected to the weekly theme.
Parents expressed their joy and gratitude for this engaging summer experience, while the children went home each day with happy hearts and creative memories. The school provided morning snacks, while lunch and other snacks were brought from home.
Sr. Lizzy C., Middletown
St. Mary’s Province
A New Dawn for the Mission in Gachirampara!
On 9 August 2025, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden joyfully celebrated the inauguration and blessing of their new convent and girls’ hostel at Gachirampara, North Tripura. The blessing was graciously imparted by Most Rev. His Grace Lumen Monteiro, Bishop of Agartala, while the inauguration was joyfully led by Rev. Sr. Grace Kaiparampil, Provincial. This milestone marks a new chapter in a mission that began in 2022, in collaboration with the OFM Fathers.
From humble beginnings in a small hut, the sisters have been serving the local community through education, pastoral activities, house visits, mission tours, and the care of hostel girls. Until now, the administration of both boys’ and girls’ hostels was managed by the fathers. With this newly blessed building, the administration of the girls’ hostel is now entrusted to the sisters, ensuring a nurturing and faith-filled environment for the young girls.
The celebration brought together church leaders, political representatives, sisters from different communities, and the hostel children in a joyful spirit of thanksgiving. It is a sign of growth, collaboration, and commitment to empowering young lives, rooted in the charism of St. Anthony Gianelli to “lead the young in good faith and right living.”
St. Mary’s Province
A Journey of Spiritual Renewal Nears its Graceful Conclusion
Over the past eight weeks, the Sisters of Our Lady of the Garden, St. Mary’s Province, have been journeying together in a profound program of ongoing formation for sisters aged 45 and above. Meeting online every Sunday evening, this initiative has been a sacred time of reflection, sharing, and inner transformation under the theme: “A Journey of Personal Conversion and Spiritual Renewal.
Guided by Sr. Anjali from the Formation Equip – General Team, each week unfolded in three meaningful steps: Reflect, Share, and Live Out. Drawing inspiration from the life of Mary of Bethany, the sisters explored how her silent love and deep intimacy with Jesus invite every consecrated woman to a renewed relationship with the Lord and a more authentic witness in community.
Through prayer, Scriptural reflection, and heartfelt sharing, the participants opened themselves to the gentle action of the Holy Spirit—discovering new insights, healing old wounds, and committing themselves to live the Gospel more concretely in daily life.
As this beautiful journey comes to its close, with the final gathering to be held this coming Sunday, the sisters express deep gratitude to God, to the Congregation, and to one another for this time of grace. It has been a season of listening, growth, and renewed commitment to the mission entrusted to them.
Sister Crescencia Province
We Walk Together In Hope, Toward Holiness, In The Footsteps Of Maria Crescencia
Under this motto, on Friday afternoon, August 15th, we began the Jubilee of the Daughters of the Garden of Sister Crescencia
Province, with representatives from almost all the communities from Spain, Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina.
The fraternal gathering began at 4:00 p.m. in the hall of the Provincial House in Buenos Aires. The Provincial superior, Sister Lidia González, offered warm words of welcome, encouraging us to live this Jubilee with openness of heart, joy, and communion with all the Sisters who, for various reasons, were unable to travel. We were given a pin with the Province logo for this Holy Year, and then we shared in the Eucharistic celebration in honor of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin.
After a break for snacks and fellowship, we attended a penitential celebration in the Chapel, with the help of three priests we could receive the sacrament of reconciliation. Itwas a powerful moment of prayer, adoration, and recognition of our strengths and weaknesses.
The day concluded with a delicious dinner shared in the joy of reunion and knowing that we were loved and embraced by divine mercy.
On Saturday, August 16, we set off at 6:00 a.m. on a pilgrimage to Pergamino. Along the way, we prayed the rosary for our entire Religious Province, the increase of vocations, and the imminent canonization of our beloved Blessed Sister Crescencia, as we celebrated the first vespers of another anniversary of her birth.
Upon arriving at our destination, we visited and prayed at the tomb of our Blessed Sister, shared breakfast, and participated in a talk about Consecrated Life and the Jubilee led by Sister Laly, FMVD. With great joy, we held a procession around the plaza carrying the relic of María Crescencia and images of Our Lady of the Garden and ourFounder St. Anthony Gianelli. We were accompanied by members of the Educational Community of Pergamino and faithful who frequented the Chapel, who also celebrated the Eucharist with us.
The Holy Mass was presided over by Bishop Hugo Santiago of the Diocese of San Nicolás and concelebrated by priests close to the community. In his homily, the Bishop reminded us that María Crescencia is called Sister Sweetness and that we should imitate this characteristic of hers in our daily vocation and mission. During the celebration, the Sisters renewed their vows, and each community received a lit candle from the Provincial, representing the light of the Charism we must radiate, following the example of Sr. Crescencia.
At midday, we shared a fraternal lunch, enlivened by folk dances and songs led by members of the educational community. Finally, in the afternoon, after each of us prayed personally with Crescencia, we began the return journey with hearts filled with joy and the happiness of having received the indulgence on this jubilee day celebrated alongside our Blessed Sister, who walks with us in hope every day.
Religious Province “Madre Clara Podestá”
Canonical Visit To The Province Mother Clare
The visit of Mother General, Gladis Eberhard, and Councilor Stela Ozman left a profound impact on us. Mother Gladis is open and attentive, a Mother who encourages, guides, and stimulates with great humanity. Her simplicity and humility left a sweet aroma among us, like a perfumed breeze that permeated our hearts.
Both Mother Gladis and Mother Estela expressed their closeness to each of us and to the lay people who assist us in our Mission. We ask Almighty God to illuminate them with the light and strength of the Holy Spirit to continue generously carrying out the task He Himself has entrusted to them
May Our Lady of the Garden accompany them in their beautiful and difficult mission. This is what we, the Sisters of the community of San Lorenzo, Paraguay, ask the Lord.
Dependent House: Holy Land
Volunteers At The Hortus Conclusus: Three New Works In Service Of Peace
Between August 6 and 22, two groups of volunteers offered their service at the Hortus Conclusus Sanctuary in the Holy Land, enthusiastically embracing three new peace-building projects. The first group, led by Father Paolo Zago from the Parish of Saints Gervasius and Protasius in Gorgonzola (Milan), worked intensively to transform the kindergarten facilities into the future House of Ruth, a space that will welcome families and communities for days of retreat and reflection. They also contributed to the creation of the Sanctuary Museum, setting up a dedicated room to display the historical and ancient treasures collected by Sister Maria Valeria over more than 60 years of mission in this Work.
The second group of volunteers, guided by Father Luis Molina Valverde, head of University Ministry in Ciudad Real (Spain), began organizing a Library that gathers all the books stored in various cabinets throughout the Sanctuary. This task requires patience, expertise, and perseverance, and they have committed to continuing the cataloging remotely.
These three projects, along with the Educational Factory, the Hortus Conclusus Oasis, and the Clinic — with the support of other associations and friends — bring to life the daily hymn of peace sung by Vigilant Evangelical Charity between two peoples who have forgotten how to love one another.
