Home of the Mother

The Home of the Mother Holy Week Encounter in the United States was held at “Camp Shalom.” There were about 170 of us all together. The Encounter was led by Fr. Henry and Fr. Dominic, Servant Priests of the Home of the Mother. It went very well and we hope it will bear much fruit.

The 29th Holy Week Encounter in Spain took place in Valencia. A total of 150 of us came together at the Dominican Monastery in the town of Torrente, now home to the Servant Sisters. Many families attended the Encounter and for most of them, it was their first Holy Week Encounter with the Home of the Mother.

The Encounter started on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 20, with the celebration of Mass as preparation for living the Holy Week Encounter with the Lord and Our Sorrowful Mother.

On Wednesday the 20th of April, there was a lot going on in our house in Lumezzane as we finished up the last preparations for the upcoming Holy Week Encounter. Some of the women helped us to do a general clean up before it all started, while others did the grocery shopping; some young people came to help with the decoration; and the sisters were adding the final touches…

This past Holy Week, the 4th Holy Week Encounter with the Home of the Mother in Ecuador was celebrated in Playa Prieta.

As in previous years, it began with the Chrism Mass in the Cathedral of Portoviejo. Fr. Juan, Servant Priest of the Home of the Mother, was able to concelebrate with Archbishop Mons. Voltolini along with the rest of the priests from Manabi.

When I began writing this little summary I couldn’t help but think of the saying "Life is full of surprises." Well that’s what happened to me in Ecuador; right when I thought I could predict what to expect I was blindsided by the unforeseen.

On Sunday, April 10th, the Servant Sisters, candidates, and some youth of Rome went on a walking pilgrimage to various churches throughout the city.  With packed lunches, a guitar, our rosaries, and open hearts, we set out for a journey of 8 kilometers, 7 churches, and lots of fun!

The day was supposed to start with Mass at Nostra Signora del Sacro Cuore at 10:30 am, but already it seemed that the Lord was telling us that He was going to be the one taking care of our plans that day:  when we walked into the church we realized that the Mass was a special ceremony, and we definitely didn’t belong there!