Sisters of the Poor of St. Catherine of Siena: Story and Charism
Summary
TLDRThe video script narrates the inspiring story of Blessed Savina Petrilli, the founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of the Poor in Siena, Italy. Born in 1851, Savina's life was marked by a deep love for Christ, the Eucharist, the cross, the Church, and the poor. The congregation, established at her 22, has since expanded globally, focusing on education, home visitations, and healthcare for the needy. The script highlights the sisters' commitment to embody Christ's love and serve the universal church, with a special emphasis on joy and the charism inherited from St. Catherine of Siena.
Takeaways
- 🎵 The script begins with music and an introduction to the congregation by the boys with a grateful heart.
- 🕊️ The congregation was founded by Blessed Savina Petralli, a servant of God, born in Siena, Italy on August 29, 1851.
- 🏠 Savina's early life was marked by a miraculous recovery from being believed dead, which led to her baptism the following day.
- 🌟 Influenced by Saint Catherine of Siena, Savina was inspired to follow in her footsteps and was later encouraged by Pope Pius IX.
- 🔥 At the age of 22, Savina began establishing the congregation with a strong passion for the love of Christ and neighbor.
- 🏡 The mother house in Viterbo, established on September 7, 1874, was the first home for the sisters and remains the mother house to this day.
- 💒 The Church of the Visitation, next to the mother house, is where each sister makes their perpetual profession vows.
- 👗 The religious habit of the sisters signifies their consecration and commitment to a simple life within the religious family.
- 💍 The ring received during perpetual profession symbolizes an indissoluble union with Christ and the congregation.
- 🌟 The congregation's charism includes four great loves: the Eucharist, the cross, the Church, and the poor, inherited from Saint Catherina of Siena.
- 🌏 The sisters' apostolate includes catechesis, educational assistance, home visitation to the poor and prisoners, and assistance to the sick.
- 📚 The congregation also manages schools and universities, with some sisters serving as theology professors.
- 🌱 The congregation has grown and expanded globally, with communities in Brazil, Argentina, India, the Philippines, Ecuador, and Germany.
- 👩💼 The congregation is currently led by Mother Liliana Quesada SDP, who continues the spiritual legacy of Blessed Savina Petralli.
Q & A
Who founded the religious congregation mentioned in the script?
-The religious congregation was founded by Blessed Savina Petrilli, also known as Savina Maria Petreoli.
What was the birth date and place of Savina Maria Petreoli?
-Savina Maria Petreoli was born on the 29th of August 1851 in Siena, Tuscany, Italy.
What was the significance of the street where Savina's family resided?
-The street, Via del Costone, was significant as it was the location of the modest building where Savina's family lived, and it is mentioned as a steep climbing narrow street.
What miraculous event occurred in Savina's early life?
-A miraculous event in Savina's early life was when she was believed to be dead, covered with a sheet, and left for six hours, but she was found alive.
What was the influence of Saint Catherine of Siena on Savina's life?
-Saint Catherine of Siena influenced Savina's life by providing a saintly example that inspired her to live a life deeply in love and impressed by the saint's life.
At what age did Savina begin the work of establishing the congregation?
-Savina began the work of establishing the congregation at the age of 22.
What is the significance of the Mother House in Venice?
-The Mother House in Venice is significant as it was the first place where the sisters of the poor entered on September 7, 1874, and it has remained the mother house to this day.
What is the importance of the Church of the Visitation to the congregation?
-The Church of the Visitation is important because it is adjacent to the mother house and is the place where each sister of the poor makes their perpetual profession of vows.
What does the religious habit signify for the sisters of the congregation?
-The religious habit is a sign of the sisters' consecration and a testimony of their embrace of a simple life and belonging to the religious family, becoming part of their identity.
What are the four great loves inherited by the congregation from Saint Catherine of Siena?
-The four great loves are love for the Eucharist, love for the cross, love for the Church, and love for the poor.
In what ways does the congregation serve the poor and needy?
-The congregation serves the poor and needy through catechesis, educational assistance, home visitation, assistance to prisoners, and providing healthcare services, including in retirement centers.
How has the congregation expanded geographically?
-The congregation has expanded to different houses and communities in various countries including Brazil, Argentina, India, Philippines, Ecuador, and Germany.
Who is the current head of the congregation?
-The current head of the congregation is Mother Liliana Quesada SDP.
Outlines
🌟 Founding of the Congregation and Life of Savina Maria Petreli
This paragraph introduces the religious congregation founded by Savina Maria Petreli, a servant of God born in Siena, Italy, on August 29, 1851. The narrative describes her early life, including a miraculous recovery as an infant, and her family's devout Christian background. Savina was deeply influenced by Saint Catherine of Siena and was inspired by Pope Pius IX's call to action. At the age of 22, she began her mission to establish the congregation, driven by a profound love for Christ and her neighbor. The paragraph also mentions the mother house in Viterbo, where the first sisters entered in 1874, and the significant year of 1881 for the institute's growth and development.
🛕 The Church of the Visitation and the Sisters' Consecration
The second paragraph focuses on the Church of the Visitation, adjacent to the mother house, where Savina vowed to build a temple of thanksgiving dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It details the significance of the religious habit and the perpetual profession of the sisters, which includes vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. The paragraph describes the ritual of receiving a ring during the perpetual profession, symbolizing an indissoluble union with Christ and the Holy Spirit. It also introduces the congregation's distinct spirit, inherited from Saint Cassian of Siena, characterized by love for the Eucharist, the cross, the Church, and the poor. The sisters are called to alleviate poverty and bring joy, embodying the spirit of Jesus in their lives.
📚 Apostolic Works and Global Expansion of the Congregation
The final paragraph discusses the apostolic works of the congregation, including education and feeding of children, especially the poorest, to help them develop physically and intellectually while becoming good Christians. The sisters also extend their work to parishes for youth assistance and home visitations to the poor and prisoners, providing catechesis and support. Additionally, the congregation includes nurses and doctors who offer their services to the needy. The paragraph highlights the congregation's growth and expansion in various countries, including Italy, Brazil, Argentina, India, the Philippines, Ecuador, and Germany, with an increase in vocations to imitate the life of their blessed founder. The congregation is currently led by Mother Liliana Quesada SDP, who continues the spiritual legacy of Savina.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Savina Petrilli
💡Congregation
💡Mother House
💡Religious Habit
💡Charism
💡Eucharist
💡Cross
💡Service to the Needy
💡Apostolate
💡International Expansion
💡Mother General
Highlights
Introduction of the congregation by the boys with a grateful heart.
The congregation was founded by Blessed Savina Petrilli, a servant of God.
Savina Maria Petraeli was born in Siena, Italy, and her early life was marked by a miraculous event.
Savina's parents were fervent Christians who ensured her baptism after a near-death experience.
Savina was inspired by the life and saintly example of Saint Catherine of Siena.
Savina began the work of establishing the congregation at the age of 22.
The congregation's mother house was established in Venice on September 7, 1874.
The congregation's growth was marked by a significant event in 1881, expanding beyond its initial location.
The Church of the Visitation is adjacent to the mother house and is a place of vows and perpetual profession for the sisters.
The religious habit of the sisters signifies their consecration and commitment to a simple life.
The ring received by the sisters during their perpetual profession symbolizes their covenant of love with Christ.
The congregation's charism includes love for the Eucharist, the cross, the Church, and the poor.
The sisters aim to alleviate poverty and bring joy to others, reflecting the teachings of Blessed Sabine.
The apostolate of the congregation includes catechesis, educational assistance, and support for the poor and prisoners.
The congregation also provides assistance to the sick through sister nurses and doctors.
The congregation manages learning schools, universities, and retirement centers, serving the elderly.
The congregation has expanded globally, with houses and communities in Brazil, Argentina, India, Philippines, Ecuador, and Germany.
The congregation's spiritual inheritance is maintained by the mother generals, currently headed by Mother Liliana Quesada SDP.
Transcripts
[Music]
so
[Music]
so
[Music]
hi we are the boys
oh
with a grateful heart we are privileged
to introduce to you
our chosen congregation
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
do
[Music]
this religious congregation was founded
by blessed savina petri
savina petrilli
[Music]
a servant of god savina maria petraeli
was born the 29th day of august 1851
in an ancient historical and famous city
in tuscany siena italy
they resided in a steep climbing narrow
street
via del costone the house was a modest
building
with windows on the front
it is reported that the infant girl
savina
one day was believed dead covered with a
sheet
and left in the condition for six hours
but miraculously found a lie
fervent christians as they were the
betray parents
matilde and salsa petraeli hastened to
have the child
be baptized the day after
initial years of her life revealed a
sparkling
intelligence a tender sensibility to
others deeply in love
and impressed by the life and saintly
example
of saint catherine of siena
go go with saint katherine and follow
her footsteps and
examples the invitation of pope pius ix
coincides with the youthful dream of
savina
did not seem ready yet but fulfilled
with her courage full trust and
abandonment to the will of god
she began the work of establishing the
congregation
at the age of 22.
blessed savina has always felt a blaze
in her heart
the fire of the love of christ and of
neighbor
which animated and burned in her entire
life
mother house in vietnce
on september 7 1874 the first sisters of
the poor entered this house for the
first time
in the most severe poverty
it was to remain the mother house to
this day
later year on 1881 marked an important
event for the institute of the sisters
of the poor
up to now the group had been confined
within the walls of via baroncelli
within these walls the sisters leave
their most
important moments and at worked miracles
in fact one thing is to begin and quiet
another to mature the faith and
experience of
charity this is the cradle
of the institute church of the
visitation
adjacent to the mother house is the
church of the visitation
savina made her vow to build a temple of
thanksgiving
dedicated and consecrated to the
heavenly mother
mary who kindly bestowed so many favors
upon our humble congregation
and thanksgiving for the recoveries of
the three sisters that time
in this remarkable and beautiful church
is the place
wherein each sister of the poor is
solemnly having their perpetual
profession
of the tribals of chastity poverty
and obedience the act of frustration
is a total surrender an offering of self
to god
in front of the incorrupted body of the
foundress
to be rooted to the cradle where the
curry sand
began
[Music]
religious habit
religious habit is a sign of her
consecration
and a testimony of her embrace
of simple life and belonging to the
religious
family it becomes part of her
identity
the cross crucifix as part of the
sdp missionary guard reminds them
of jesus total sacrifice and offering
in response we become daughters
and continuously offer sacrifices with
[Music]
christ
the ring is received on the sister's
perpetual profession
this ratifies forever her covenant of
love
with christ and a strong filial bond
with the father
and with the spirit a sign of
indissoluble
union
[Music]
character yeah
charism is a specific ability
given to all christians with the holy
spirit to give them power
pulse to represent christ and to be the
channel of god's goodness for people
i am then glad to share to you the
distinct spirit
that describes our congregation the
sisters of the poor of saint cassadine
of siena
blessed savina petrilli our foundress
inherits from saint cassarin of siena
the four great love
first the love for the eucharist
that empowers us to represent christ in
his prison spirit faithfully
the second is the love for the cross we
embrace the life of faith and simplicity
in total abandonment to god as we also
face challenges in our mission
being one with those who suffer and have
reason to cry
the sword is the love for the church
we consecrate ourselves to god with
dedicated service
of great charity to the needy
and become channels of our lord's
goodness and blessings
to his people the fourth is the love for
the poor
we are sisters of the poor and with the
very heart of jesus
we are called to alleviate all sorts of
poverty
bearing in mind and heart the very wars
of blessed sabine
to bring joy to others is to double
one's own capacity for joy
and to manifest jesus in our life brings
us happiness
looking at us people should perceive
jesus
[Music]
like jesus who was anointed to proclaim
the good news to the poor each as deep
sister
by incarnating the spirit of the
congregation
becomes a bearer of divine love and
mercy to the poor
the abundant the sikh and the aged
the apostolate first giving catechesis
and educational assistance
the sisters of the poor by the grace of
god expanded their providential work of
educating and feeding the children
especially the poorest and help them to
become good christians
amidst their social status in life
and to develop their physical and
intellectual abilities
as well the congregation manages several
learning schools and universities
[Music]
some sisters are teaching in the
universities
as theology professors
[Music]
other sisters extend their work in the
parishes
for youth assistance
[Music]
second home visitation to the poor and
prisoners
two sisters visit poor families to bring
serenity
and alleviate poverty the sisters
provide program for the prisoners
give them catechesis and feed them with
the help of lay collaborators
third the sisters give assistance to the
sick
there are sister nurses and doctors who
offer their service
and their knowledge to the needy the
congregation is retirement centers
that provide the elderly a family
atmosphere
and assistance from their own sisters
in christ
the growth and the expansion of the
congregation was quite
amazing that the desire of blessed
sabino was fulfilled
serving the universal church
besides italy the congregation grows in
different houses and communities
in brazil
argentina
[Music]
[Applause]
[Music]
india
philippines
ecuador
[Music]
and germany
the number of vocation arises all
throughout the said
countries to imitate the living message
of life
our blessed founders throughout the
history
the mother generals have maintained the
spiritual inheritance from blessed
selena
at present the congregation in general
is headed by our dearest
mother liliana quesada sdp
[Music]
you
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