RGS marks 74th anniversary of canonization of St. Mary Euphrasia

Submitted by regina on Mon, 05/05/2014 - 05:01

The Religious of the Good Shepherd, composed of apostolic and contemplative sisters, celebrated the 74th anniversary of canonization of St. Mary Euphrasia on May 2, 2014.

Masses were held in the different communities worldwide. 

In Maryridge, Tagaytay City, where a group of Good Shepherd Sisters were concluding the retreat, Fr. Antonio Pernia SVD, lauded the  vision of St. Mary Euphrasia for a world that is beyond borders.

He also cited two great quotations of Mother Foundress:

"Jesus Christ the Good Shepherd is the true model whom we must endeavour to imitate, in order to acquire the perfection of our holy state. He is the divine original that we must strive to reproduce in our whole conduct. We must endeavour on our side to form ourselves to the spirit of this adorable master and live his very life." (Conference 6)

" Live joyfully iwth your God, love him, think only of him, occupy yourselves with him alone, live, breathe for him alone, let him be your souls' atmospehre; give yourselves unreservedly to God and the day will come when you will fall asleep on his Heart to awaken in his glory." (Conference 17)

 

It was on May 2, 1940, feast of the Ascencion of Jesus, that Mary Euphrasia was canonized saint by Pope Pius XII at St. Peter’s Basilica. St. Mary Euphrasia’s canonization was participated in by Good Shepherd Sisters, many of whom came to Rome for the General Chapter.

In an article written by Sr. Rose Virginie Warnig on the
occasion of the golden jubilee of SME’s canonization, she said that the
canonization should have been in 1939 but Pope Pius XI died on February 10,
1939.  A new pope, Pius XII,  was elected on March 2, 1939 and canonized
St. Mary Euphrasia and St. Gemma Galgani, more than a year later, at St.
Peter’s Basilica.

St. Mary Euphrasia’s canonization came only seven years
after her beatification on April 30, 1933. Sr. John of the Cross Balzer, who
was superior general at the time of the beatification saw it as a great gift to
be able to witness not only the beatification of Mother Foundress but also her
canonization. Both events were timed with the General Chapter. Soon after the
canonization, the capitulars gathered to elect a new superior general, Sr.
Ursula Jung.

May 2 has become a significant date in the life of the
congregation for Mary Euphrasia’s heroic virtues and exemplary life was recognized
by the Church.  Worldwide, entrances to
the novitiate, and profession of vows were held on May 2.