Volume I Issue No.3 July-August, 2013 Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Casa Santo Spirito,00163 Via dei Bevilacqua 60, Rome Italy

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1 Volume I Issue No.3 July-August, 2013 Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Casa Santo Spirito,00163 Via dei Bevilacqua 60, Rome Italy Brazil s cordial and generous welcome Sr. Maria Jose de Souza, OSB, superior of the Rio de Janeiro community, recounts the World Youth Day (WYD) experience, Our College Santo Amaro had the privilege to practice what S. Benedict asks, receive the guest as Christ himself (RB 58). We in our School welcomed and hosted 550 pilgrims coming from Korea, Argentina, Portugal and of Brazil: Archdiocese of Presidente Prudente/Sao Paolo; Priory of Sorocaba: Colégio Cristo Rei and Colégio Santa Escolástica and from the Olinda Priory: Colégio Sagrado Coração, Academia Santa Gertrudes and Colégio Imaculado Coração de Maria. We also welcomed young pilgrims, arriving from the State Espírito Santo/ES and Brasília/FD. We experienced a new Pentecost with a lot of blessings and happiness. 1 st row: 1 st row: Sr. Mayra, Sr. M. Helen,Sr.Kelly; 2 nd row: Sr.Nicoli, Sr.Lourdes, Sr.Juliana, Sr.Edilânia Sisters from São Paulo and Olinda with the youth in front of Sant Amaro College World Youth Days are not fireworks, not just moments of enthusiasm that end in themselves; rather, they are stages of a long journey. The Holy Father emphasized that the young people who participated in World Youth Day are not following the Pope, they are following Jesus Christ bearing His Cross. And the Pope guides them and accompanies them in this journey of faith and hope.

2 P a g e 2 The Bulgarian youth gathered in Malchika from July 25 to 28. Sr. Leticia Saraza, OSB writes, Young people from all over Bulgaria gathered in Malchika to experience the youth meeting in Rio de Janeiro. Sr. Dijanira brought three teenagers from Zarevbrod and Sr. Leticia from Sekirovo travelled with four youth. The three day gathering was marked with spiritual Bulgarian youth with Sr. Dijanira and Sr. Leticia conferences, workshops and prayers. It was capped with the viewing in the big screen of the Pope s Holy Mass in Copacabana, Brazil. On July 11, 2013, the Solemnity of St. Benedict, Postulants Nishanthini Gabriel and Jeyamary Michal were accepted as novices in a rite integrated at Vespers. This date officially marks the birth of the Puttalam, Sri Lanka Novitiate Community whose members are Sr. Fidelis Kim, OSB (Korean), Sr. Gabriella Capone, OSB (Italian), Sr. Angeline Arceo, OSB (Filipina) and Sri Lankan formandees composed of two novices, one postulant and two aspirants. Sr. Irene narrates her interesting experience, It was my birthday wish on June 4 to see the Pope. I did not know how to go about it. I went to the Vatican and asked the Swiss guard that I wanted very much to attend the Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis at St.Martha Chapel. So, he gave me an official paper, a ballpen and an envelope to write my request and mail it to the secretary of the Pope. Right there and then, I wrote my request and mailed it. On June 10 I received a letter of invitation for the morning mass but the letter arrived only in the afternoon. I went the next day, June 11, showing my letter. The Swiss guard communicated with the one in charge of the Mass. I was allowed to attend the Holy Mass. After the Mass we all lined up. When it was my turn I introduced myself to the Pope as a Missionary Benedictine sister of Tutzing and a Namibian. I did this in German but he answered me in English and said, God bless you and the whole Congregation. He then whispered twice, Pray for me. PUTTALAM, SRI LANKA NOVITIATE COMMUNITY From l-r: Aspirant Kigani, Postulant Tyroni, Novice Nishanthini, Sr. Angeline, Sr. Fidelis, Sr. Gabriela, Novice Jeyamary, Aspirant Virgini Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca, OSB represented Mother General Angela Strobel, OSB in the birthing of the Novitiate Community. Sr. Lumen Gloria flew from Rome as early as July 5 and stayed on until July 25. Mother Ildegarde Capone, OSB of the Montevergine arrived on February 28 while Sr. Genoveva on March 10. The latter returned to Daegu on July 9, a complete four months of stay in Puttalam. Sr. Ildegarde is due to return to Montevergine at the end of August. M. Ildegarde and Sr. Genovefa

3 V o l u m e 1, I s s u e 3 P a g e 3 PERAMIHO July 3 From l-r: Sr. Judith Kombe, OSB, Sr. Immaculata Mgeni, OSB, Sr. Julia Haule, OSB Sr. Raphaela Sr. Chantal Sr. Ma. Gratia Prayerful wishes go to: Sr. Raphaela Handler, OSB who ended her eight year term as Prioress of Ndanda.She is now in Tutzing recuperating from her knee operation. Sr.Chantal Gerster, OSB OSB who began her third term as Superior of Haus St. Benedikt on August 15. Sr. Alice Ferreira, OSB from Portugal who was installed as regional superior of Angola on August 15. Sr. Ma. Gratia Balagot, OSB who finished her term of three years as regional superior of Angola. She will be installed as superior of Madrid on September 17. Sr. Gertrud Kim, OSB who had to go back to Daegu on account of fractured ribs caused by a car accident. On August 10, she writes, Greetings from Daegu! The flight went well. The wheelchair on both ends was helpful. The sisters met me in the airport and we went to the hospital directly. Two doctors examined me and I was admitted. Sr. Tabitha Son,OSB who is now on vacation in Daegu after ending her four-year assignment at the Manila Priory. Sr. Theofilia Iipumbu, OSB from Windhoek who is on a four-year assignment in Rome. Sr.Jania Keogh, OSB from Norfolk who is on a one year assignment in Madrid. Sr. Ma. Goretti Achieng, OSB who was for a time in Jinja and returned to Nairobi,her home priory. Sr. Celestine Marino, OSB who is now assigned in Haus St. Benedict. Sr. Visitacion Cidad, OSB giving Spanish lessons to Sr. Jania. The whole Angolan community welcomed Sr. Alice (center) and a Portuguese volunteer of one month, Carolina Duarte (third from right) who were brought by Sr. Timotea Kronschnabl, OSB (standing far right) from Portugal.

4 P a g e 4 The Eleventh Encontro Monástico L a t i n o a m e r i c a n o (EMLA) was held in Mexico from July Participants from Olinda Priory were Sr. Vania Toscano, OSB, Sr. Caritas Lyra Cavalcanti, OSB, Sr. Rosamaria de Lira, OSB and Sr. Maria Madalena Mendonca, OSB. The theme of the encounter was The Monastic Life in Times of Cultural Transformation. EMLA Participants in Mexico On August 4, Sr. Pia Portmann, OSB recounts, We had the dedication of our outdoor Station of the Light. This pathway project features 14 bronzecolored reliefs depicting the Via Lucis, the most inspiring events in the post-resurrection life of Jesus Christ. This project we worked on since spring 2011 and came finally to a completion. The granite cross that once adorned the first Missionary Benedictine Hospital in Graceville, MN was saved and stands now at the entrance of the new pathway with the Stations of the Light. Participants of the Vocation Retreat SEOUL Sr. Terra An, OSB shares their vocation retreat, For three days from August 16 to 18 a retreat for 22 young women to experience the religious life was held at Sangji Retreat House organized by the Vocation Committee of the Seoul Priory. The theme was: Let s Go to The Desert! DAEGU Sr. Bertwina Caesar, OSB celebrated her 100th birthday on August 12 according to the Korean calendar. She was sent as a postulant to Wonsan, North Korea in 1937 where she made her first profession in 1938 and final profession in In 1957 she was missioned to Daegu. She is the only living German sister in Korea. She quips, I am made in Korea. Sr. Bertwina

5 V o l u m e 1, I s s u e 3 P a g e 5 The flooded grounds of the Manila Priory House 300-bed Dormitory of Ruaraka NDANDA Sr. Isaac Bae, OSB The sisters having meals in the community room. Archbishop Balvo after unveiling the marker. Sr. Tereza Zemale writes on the priory s retreat from July 21-30, For the Bible Workshop and Retreat with Sr. Isaac, there were Sisters from each community attending apart from Kabuhima, so I imagine that they have shared about it in the communities. It was certainly a beautiful new experience of Scripture as a living word of God. HARVEST SEASON MANILA Sr. Adelaida Ygrubay, OSB reports on the August 20 effects of the torrential rains and floods that battered Metro Manila, The rain has been almost continuous since Sunday, and today, for the first time in many years, the water came into the refectory, procurator's office and St. Benedict's Home. But at 4:30 pm, the water has gone down, except in the refectory, where the water seems to be trapped. We had lunch in the community room! NAIROBI The blessing of the 300-bed dormitory of St. Scholastica s Academy Hostel, Ruaraka took place on July 11. Sr. Michael Marie Rottinghaus explains, Actually the dormitory is not yet completely finished though we had the blessing of it. Archbishop Charles Daniel Balvo, the Apostolic Nuncio of Kenya blessed the hostel. LOS TOLDOS, ARGENTINA Sr. Juana Maria Rivera, OSB (far right) joining the Los Toldos parishioners at the Our Lady of Mt Carmel procession on July 16. ROME TUTZINGMother House Garden ROMECasa Santo Spirito Garden Sr. Stellamaris Cheserek, OSB, who was hit by a car on June 26, being visited by Sr. Carmel Simpauco, OSB at the Franciscan Hospital in Rome on her feastday on August 15

6 P a g e 6 OLINDA - July 7-11 Focus Steps of Windhoek WINDHOEK:Jul. 31-Aug.5 Sr. Maria Ignatius Glasser, OSB, writes from Windhoek,. Now, a small group delegated by the Chapter finalizes the message text and our implementation. From this additional task goes along just another little request for an assisting quick prayer. Sr. Remedios delos Reyes, OSB continues, Sr. Bernadette Asuncion designed the focus. In this focus, the symbolical stream comes from the altar as a Source. On the steps of the focus are the 25 lighted vigil lamps representing the Chapter participants, our Constitutions, Statutes, the Compilation of the Congregation Chapters' Messages, the RB, the Holy Bible, a jar, a plant, and a globe. Sr. Benilda (far right) and Sr. Bonaventura Lee, OSB(3rd from right) at the Padeborn Cathedral. Sr. Aquinata addressing the Mariannhill Fathers CANTATIBUS ORGANIS The solemn chorale singing group of students of the Gregorian Institute "Cantantibus organis at the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Cecilia in Rome for the third time now had a concert tour of the Archdiocese of Paderborn, Germany from July Sr. Benilda Maramba, OSB is one of the students. The 12-member group of women religious from Brazil, Peru, Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, the Philippines and Italy had designed the last 7 days at the usual formation house Franz Pfanner and from there to various places of the Archdiocese including singing at the chapter offices in the Cathedral of Paderborn. Sr. Aquinata Boeckmann, OSB gave a lecture on the Rule of St. Benedict to two small groups -the Fathers of Mariannhill in Rome on July 2 and the Sisters of Montevergine, Institute of Benedictine Studies in Mercogliano on July 8. A known protestant pastor by the name of Bernd Jaspert shares these views on Sr. Aquinata Boeckmann s new book, Commentary on the Prologue to Chapter 7 of the Holy Rule, the present work would match the great rule commentary of her teacher, colleague and friend Adalbert de Vogue, perhaps even surpassing him in learning and clarity. Sister Gerharda (Johanna) Kils, OSB, Haus St. Benedikt, July 6 Sister Sigismunda Katzenberger, OSB, Tutzing, August 12 Sister Maria Alma Lee, OSB, Seoul, August 15 With our warm wishes, The Generalate That in all things God may be glorified.