FEAST DAY OF OUR PATRONESS ST. ANN
Saints Joachim and Anne In the Scriptures, Matthew and Luke furnish a legal family history of Jesus, tracing ancestry to show that Jesus is the culmination of great promises. Not only is his mother’s family neglected, we also know nothing factual about them except that they existed. Even the names Joachim and Anne come from a legendary source written more than a century after Jesus died. The heroism and holiness of these people however, is inferred from the whole family atmosphere around Mary in the Scriptures. Whether we rely on the legends about Mary’s childhood or make guesses from the information in the Bible, we see in her a fulfilment of many generations of prayerful persons, herself steeped in the religious traditions of her people. |
The strong character of Mary in making decisions, her continuous practice of prayer, her devotion to the laws of her faith, her steadiness at moments of crisis, and her devotion to her relatives—all indicate a close-knit, loving family that looked forward to the next generation even while retaining the best of the past.
Joachim and Anne—whether these are their real names or not—represent that entire quiet series of generations who faithfully perform their duties, practice their faith, and establish an atmosphere for the coming of the Messiah, but remain obscure. Reflection : This is the “feast of grandparents.” It reminds grandparents of their responsibility to establish a tone for generations to come: They must make the traditions live and offer them as a promise to little children. But the feast has a message for the younger generation as well. It reminds the young that older people’s greater perspective, depth of experience, and appreciation of life’s profound rhythms are all part of a wisdom not to be taken lightly or ignored. |
OUR FOUNDERS
Thanks to the work of a married couple, Carlo Tancredi Falletti and Giulia Colbert the Marquis and Marchioness of Barolo, the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Ann was born in Turin in the first half of the nineteenth century Carlo Tancredi Fallettie Giulia Colbert. Carlo Tancredi and Giulia lived in deep union between themselves and in an unconditional self-giving to the neighbour. Attentive to signs of God and open to the needs of the time, they welcomed in their house, the children who were left alone or abandoned to the streets, since their parents were unable to take care of them. Aware of the importance of education of the little ones, in 1834 they founded our Congregation as an instrument of Providence for the little and poor ones, incarnating in history the same attitudes of Jesus who welcomed the little children. The Sisters were called to carry on their service in various centres and villages, first in Piedmont and then also in other parts of Italy, wherever their work was needed. Just within 12years from the foundation of Congregation, the Sisters of St. Ann received Pontifical approval on 8th March 1846. |
CO-FOUNDRESS
Enrichetta Dominici, in the world, Caterina, was born at Borgo Salsasio Carmagnola(TO), on 10 October 1829. She had a serene infancy, surrounded by the affection of her family members. However, around the year 1833 her father abandoned the family, which then moved to the house of her uncle who was Parish Priest. Such painful events marked her infancy and her adolescence. But Catherina rather than closing in on herself, opened herself, to the positivity of life given to her and oriented her heart to God, whom she always called her Good Daddy, and to whom she turned with filial and trusting confidence. Caterina had a proud and independent temperament, but which was also tender and sensitive. She gradually became a humble, simple, available and open creature, docile to the action of Grace. She learnt to say yes to the Lord, in the apparent ordinariness of daily life, began to live the virtues in a heroic way. At the age of 21, she entered the \institute of the Sisters of St. Ann. She was received by the Foundress herself. On 26 July 1851 she was clothed with the religious habit, receiving the name of Sister Enrichetta. In the Communities where the Lord placed her and in the various situations she met, she continued her life of self offering to the father in a more and more intense manner. fidelity in small actions was the secret of her journey. "Small actions accomplished with great love are worth more than heroic actions done with human interests". At the age of just 32 she was elected Superior General and she found herself to be its "Mother" till the end of her life(1894). Mother Enrichetta was a woman with her gaze turned to "God Alone", she lived in His presence with the confidence and simplicity of daughter. she sought the will of God in everything and abandoned herself to His will, becoming by her very life, a hymn of praise to the Most Holy Trinity. This is the spiritual inheritance that she has left to us, her daughters, and to all those who have the grace to encounter her on their journey. On 7 May 1978 Pope Paul VI proclaimed her Blessed, recognizing her spiritual wealth and fecundity and recommending her journey of sanctity as a model to be followed. |
EXPANSION
The Congregation further developed under the leadership of Mother Mary Enrichetta Dominici, S.S.A. who was elected as the Superior General of the Congregation in 1861 and served in that office until 1894. Under her inspiration, the Sisters embraced the concept of worldwide service, and in 1871 the first Sisters of St. Ann were sent as missionaries to India. The Sisters also began to serve in Switzerland in 1920, where they helped immigrants to that country, mostly Italians, in 1952 United States and in 1960, in answer to an appeal by Pope John XXIII, they expanded to serve in various other countries. They now serve in Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Mexico, Peru, Philippines and United Kingdom.
The Congregation further developed under the leadership of Mother Mary Enrichetta Dominici, S.S.A. who was elected as the Superior General of the Congregation in 1861 and served in that office until 1894. Under her inspiration, the Sisters embraced the concept of worldwide service, and in 1871 the first Sisters of St. Ann were sent as missionaries to India. The Sisters also began to serve in Switzerland in 1920, where they helped immigrants to that country, mostly Italians, in 1952 United States and in 1960, in answer to an appeal by Pope John XXIII, they expanded to serve in various other countries. They now serve in Albania, Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Mexico, Peru, Philippines and United Kingdom.
Our Religious Family
initially was given the name “Sisters of St. Ann of Providence ”, which was
later changed into “Sisters of St. Ann”. The Congregation lives under the care of
Divine Providence, the heart of its identity, and is entrusted to the
protection of St. Ann, model of a mother and educator.
We, the Sisters of St. Ann, celebrate the feast of St. Ann on the 26th of July with much joy and thankfulness. It was to St. Ann our Founders entrusted the Congregation for particular protection. They believed that in her, our Institute would always find light, inspiration and strength, besides powerful intercession with God, for the fulfillment of its particular mission in the Church. The name Anne derives from the Hebrew, Hannah, meaning ‘Grace’. Saint Anne was born in Bethlehem and became the wife of Saint Joachim from Nazareth, in Galilee. Joachim was a shepherd, given the responsibility of supplying sheep for the temple’s sacrifices in Jerusalem. They were both of the royal House of David, and their lives were wholly occupied in prayer and good works. |
One thing only was lacking in their twenty years of marriage - they were childless, and this was held as a bitter misfortune among the Jews. Joachim is said to have fasted in the desert, in order to plead with God for a child. After a time of fasting, an angel appeared, assuring him that he and Anne would be given a child, whom they would name Mary and dedicate to God.
Eventually, and through grace, when Anne was growing old, Mary was born. She was truly regarded as a child of God, and with the birth of Mary, the elderly Anne began a new life. She watched her every movement with reverent tenderness, and felt herself sanctified by the presence of her immaculate child. But she had vowed her daughter to God, and, when old enough, Mary had also consecrated herself to him. Anne gave her back. Mary was three years old when Anne and Joachim led her up the Temple steps, saw her pass by herself into the inner sanctuary, where she spent much of her childhood. When Mary was fourteen, they betrothed her to Joseph of Nazareth and Mary’s story continues with the birth of Jesus. Thus, Anne was left childless in her lone old age, and deprived of her purest earthly joy just when she needed it most. In 550 AD, a church was built in honour of Saint Anne in Jerusalem, near where she lived with Joachim and Mary. Here is the present day church and ruins in Jerusalem. Her feast day is July 26th. |