(ANS - Mornese) - On the afternoon of January 1, 2016, the Holy Door was opened in the Shrine dedicated to St. Mary Mazzarello in the town of Mornese where she was born.

The Shrine dedicated to St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello in Mornese was chosen along with three others by the Bishop of the Diocese of Acqui Terme, Msgr. Piergiorgio Micchiardi, for the whole Diocese as Jubilee Churches.  Those who cannot go to Rome to live the Jubilee of Mercy fully may do so by entering the Holy Door of the Shrine in Mornese.

“The opening of the Holy Door here in Mornese is a deep experience of grace that reaches and involves the whole Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians and all the people who will enter this Temple.  Your Excellency has surprised us with this choice that is a precious gift for us in this extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy”.

With these words, Sr. Piera Cavaglià, Secretary General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, expressed gratitude in the name of Mother General, Mother Yvonne Reungoat, and of all the FMA of the world, to Msgr. Pier Giorgio Micchiardi, Bishop of Acqui Terme, who presided over the function of the opening of the Holy Door of the Shrine dedicated to Mother Mazzarello.

Before the plaza filled with Sisters from all of Piedmont and Liguria, the townsfolk of the Saint, Civil and Military Authorities, and the Provincial, Sr. Elide Degiovanni, the Bishop opened the Door of Mercy, which during this year will be entered with faith by the many pilgrims who will go to Mornese.

During the homily of the Eucharistic Celebration that followed the Rite of Opening, Msgr. Micchiardi emphasized that: “the Holy Door of the Shrine of St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello reminds us of one of the characteristics of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy: the need to strive for holiness as a response to God’s love that precedes us.  The opening of this door in a Shrine dedicated to a Saint of our land recalls the plan of love that God has for each one of us and reminds us that it is possible by following the footsteps of our Saints and Blesseds. Thus, it is an attainable holiness, through imitation the faith and Gospel radicalism of those who went before us. 
The presence in Mornese in this extraordinary moment for the whole Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians has been an experience of Church lived with joy and intensity.  We want to dedicate this event to the young people who will step through this Holy Door so that the fresh and young faith of Mary Mazzarello may be transformed into fullness of life for each of them!”

Publiced 06/01/2016

(from, FMA Social Communication)