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Sr. M. Ceceliatook her perpetual vows on July 9th, 2011 at Most Holy Trinity Parish Church in San Jose, California. View the gallery. |
A Pauline Centenary Pastoral Tool
PAULINE SPIRITUALITY AND MISSION, n. 7 ***
HOW BLESSED JAMES ALBERIONE CHANGED MY LIFE
I joined the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (Piae Discipulae Divini Magistri) in 1951. I was fourteen years old. I would see Primo Maestro from the pew of our chapel. He would walk slowly from the back and proceed towards the altar to guide us in meditation. Meanwhile, the community would be singing the Veni Creator Spiritus. Such visits would take place once or so a month. Soon I learned to concentrate myself upon this person – and in so doing I could experience a strong connectedness with God.
From every visit of his I drew deeper meaning for my life and vocation. I could feel that he was in love with the vocation-spirituality-life of the Pious Disciples …
Primo Maestro’s far-reaching gaze became for me a constant attraction. Very soon I noticed within my soul that I was “feeling” what he was feeling. The world was calling me … (after my religious profession). I didn’t hesitate to manifest to our Mother Maria Lucia Ricci my burning desire to become a missionary.
I owe my missionary vocation to the direct influence of Primo Maestro. I had something like a felt experience of his ardent zeal for God and for the peoples of the whole world. The Cor Pauli, Cor Christi erat decorating the Communion rail of the Temple of Saint Paul in Alba was telling me that Primo Maestro was the new Paul enamored of Christ. Often I could feel my heart pulsating in union with their hearts: Paul-Christ-Alberione. My heart and their hearts united as one.
The day to leave for mission came. I went to greet Primo Maestro and he asked me: “What are you going to do in Brazil?” “I will be working with young women in formation”, I said. Then after a moment he lifted his recollected head and, gazing at me attentively, he described of which Master we are Disciples.
“Remember”, he said, “to teach that the magisterium of the Divine Master begins with ‘Let there be Light …’ His magisterium continued through Abraham, Moses, the Prophets … and finally the Annunciation of the Incarnate Word … When his hour came, he entrusted himself freely, blessed the bread saying: ‘Take and eat; this is my body …’ Then he took the chalice, lifting his eyes to heaven. ‘Take and drink: this is the chalice of the new covenant, shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin …’
Do you understand that this is the earthly magisterium of Jesus Christ? The center of his magisterium, though, consists in his passion, his death, his resurrection and ascension into heaven. Then he gave to the Church the Holy Spirit …
Do you understand that Jesus Master continues his magisterium here on earth from Tabernacle … It is a Eucharistic magisterium. You need to develop this subject very well (for those who will join the Congregation), so that they may enter into the spirit of the Eucharistic virtues of Jesus … into his Eucharistic kenosis. This subject is of vital importance for you Disciples of the Divine Master. Look at humanity: where is it going? Which path is it treading? Which Master is showing the way? Is it the Divine Master, the Way, the Truth and the Life of humanity?
At this point, Father Alberione gazed at me and said forcefully: “Do you understand of which Master you are Disciples? Only of this Master, and of no other?” Then in a fatherly spirit, he added, “The magisterium of the Divine Master accompanies humanity in its journey back to the heart of the Blessed Trinity from where humanity’s pilgrimage began. Do not forget the glorious magisterium of Jesus Master in the bosom of the Divine Trinity, as he promised, he went to prepare a place for us with the Father.”
That encounter with Primo Maestro made me feel as if I were on Mount Tabor! From that August 1963, the universal magisterium of Christ, Way, Truth and Life has been something flowing in my veins … It has been translated into “gifts of love” I’ve received moment by moment, in simplicity, as I saw in the life of Primo Maestro. He impressed me with his fire for God and for souls. He communicated to me its urgency! My specific Eucharistic-priestly-liturgical mission is indeed a powerful irradiation of that Alberionian slogan: “At the Center is Jesus Christ, Way, Truth and Life.”
***
ARCHIVES
1. Blessed James Alberione’s Life: A Service of Worship
2. The Centrality of the Word and the Eucharist in the Life of the Pauline Family
3. The Eucharistic Adoration: The Disciple at the School of the Divine Master
4. Blessed James Alberione: “I Had a Dream”
5. Mother Scholastica Rivata, PDDM: “Symphony of Joy”
6. The Collaboration of Women in the Mission of the Church: In the Mind of James Alberione
Prepared by Sr. Mary Tiziana Dal Masetto, PDDM
3700 North Cornelia Avenue
Fresno, CA-U.S.A.
Tel. (559) 275-9978
