Introduction
The generous donations of two very pious people enabled us to open in Montorio Veronese, four miles from the city, a women’s house, … which we have entitled: Istituto Pie Madri della Nigrizia (Institute of the Pious Mothers of Nigrizia); and it is presided over by a wise and pious director, adorned with the virtues and endowed with the gifts of mind and heart that are necessary to correspond to such a sublime and important mission. Read AMN 20, p. 56-62
The first formator
Unfortunately, unflattering and even offensive rumours have been spread about the first formator. It is therefore only fair to do her justice, not least because Daniel Comboni would never have entrusted the formation of his future missionaries to a person unsuitable for the task. Read more AMN 20, p. 59-63
Maria Bollezzoli
You can read this episode in AMN 20, pp. 56-57
Beginning of the Noviciate
On the 8th December 1874 it was possible to proceed with the ceremony of vesting, presided over by Luigi di Canossa, Bishop of Verona and Superior responsible for the Institute of Missions for the Nigrizia.
From the Annals of the Good Shepherd, eight novices had presented themselves to receive the habit and the Rules. It was not, in fact, a question of the Rules of the Institute since it was not yet approved by Rome but of a provisional text that Fr Antonio Squaranti had prepared using some already existing ones. Continue reading AMN 20, pp. 67-72
Contemplative Time
Think back on your feelings and concerns on your first trip (mission, living together, retreat, postulancy).
- Write a prayer of thanksgiving for God’s passage in your life and in the history of the PMN Institute.
Write in your Journal
- What has it stirred in your heart to touch these experiences with your hands?