Renewed and sent forth for mission
On 24th May 2026, the solemnity of the feast of the Pentecost was celebrated in the Church of San Salvatore in Onda, Rome with a spirit of thanksgiving for the 188th anniversary of the foundation of the two Pallottine Sisters’ Congregations: Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate and Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate.
This celebration joyfully united both branches of the Pallottine Sisters along with Pallottine Fathers and the laity from Rome to give God thanks for the wonderful gift of Pallottine vocation to every Pallottine Sister which was symbolically expressed through a joyful entrance dance by the Nigerain candidates of the Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate.
Fr. Zenon Hanas, Rector General of the Pallottine Fathers and Brothers presided over the Holy Eucharist along with some Pallottine fathers, among them were some members of the Pallottine Father’s General council: Fr. Joseph Jules Nkodo, Fr. Daniel Rocchetti and Fr. Rahul Philips.
In his homily, Fr. Hanas while recalling the rich Pallottine history, thanked God for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of 1838 and expressed his gratitude for all these years of history and development of the Pallottine charism and mission by the Pallottine Sisters. As Pallotti urged us to transport ourselves spiritually to the Upper Room in Jerusalem, he also left us an image of the Upper Room to help us in this spiritual experience. He then invited the gathering to pray that the Spirit of the Upper Room may reign in our Pallottine communities. At the end he prayed a beautiful touching poem, a prayer to the Holy Spirit, written by St. Hildegard of Bingen, Doctor of the Church.
During the intercessions, prayers were made in seven different languages praying for the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit for various intentions of the Church, our Congregations, Union of the Catholic Apostolate and for the needs of the world. As one person prayed the prayer, another placed a lamp at the altar surrendering these intentions to the Lord and seeking His blessings.
Our Superior General, Sr. Josephina D’ Souza in the name of both the Congregations placed a lit candle at the altar when the Mass commenced and later led the sisters of both the Congregations to renew their consecration to the Lord.
The feast was indeed a profound moment for the Pallottine Sisters to be renewed in the Holy Spirit in the cenacle and to be sent forth for mission for the greater glory of God.
Text: Sr. Alda Isa Paes, SAC
Photos: Sr. Judy Cheruvally, CSAC