On the 24th May, with the launch of a book recounting our history, we brought to a close our year of celebration of the 350th anniversary of our presence in Piacenza. We had begun more than a year-long of thanksgiving festivities on 19 March 2023, with Fr. Miguel Marquez Calle, OCD General, presiding at a solemn Eucharistic celebration. In his homily that day, Fr. Miguel had told us: “An adventure, yours, that today celebrates 350 years, a story of the lives of so many people, (your sisters), who were in love… Permit this dream of God to continue, because Jesus is still incarnate today, continue to believe, with absolute fidelity, that nothing is impossible for God”.
We refer below to some of the other memorable events that took place throughout this special anniversary year.
On 4 July 2023, our Mother, Sr. M. Francesca in the company of three others sisters from our community, were received in the Basilica of St. Antonino by His Lordship, Bishop Adriano Cevelotto. To mark the memorable occasion and the extraordinary 350th anniversary of the Carmelite presence in their city of Piacenza, Bishop Adriano presented them with the prestigious “golden Antonino Award” in recognition and appreciation of the Carmelite Community. Later in the year, in October, the Community hosted special conferences with Fr. Saverio Cannestra OCD and Sig. Matthew Corradini, (writer and Hebrew scholar) on the theme “Teresian Spirituality and Hebrew Mysticism”. Fr. Saverio lectured on “Prophetism in the Mysticism of St. Teresa”.
On 17 March 2024, as an “official” closure of the centenary, Bishop Adriano presided at a solemn Eucharistic celebration while on 21 April, we had an added “gift” of a musical recital of “Vuestra soy” performed by some special friends!
And now, loving souls, let us recommence…
