LET US SING TO THE LORD WITH JOY60th Anniversary of the Presence of the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd in Castel d’Azzano (VR)
On Sunday, October 4th, the community of the Castel d’Azzano (VR) parish gave thanks to the Lord during the Eucharistic celebration for the 60th anniversary of the presence of the Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd. Bishop Domenico Pompili expressed the following in his message: "In 1966, the first 'Pastorelle' [Shepherdess Sisters] arrived in Castel d'Azzano (VR). Thus, the charism that had originated in the heart of Fr. Giacomo Alberione—near Rome, between the First and Second World Wars—reached this parish in a populous area of the Veneto region. From the very beginning, the Shepherdess Sisters made a strong impression through their warm and lively integration into parish life, particularly in the areas of catechetical formation and liturgical animation. They were not religious sisters who kept to themselves, pursuing their own separate initiatives; rather, they fully embraced the parish's communal life. In this way, the Shepherdess Sisters became an integral part of our community, witnessing its growth and becoming a point of reference for both young and old."
In his introduction to the celebration, the parish priest, Father Michele Valdegamberi, highlighted the beauty of the presence of consecrated life: "Sixty years—a long journey that is not yet over, a bond that has seen the passing of so many sisters who have loved, served, and accompanied—with daily faithfulness—the journeys of so many people... Yet today, I would like to avoid the temptation to dwell on the practical utility of your service to our community, and instead focus on the beauty of your presence. We are here today to give thanks for your presence, which reminds us that there is one overriding priority: God, the Gospel, and the Kingdom growing in our midst. And today, I hope this occasion allows our community to refine the gaze of the heart, enabling us to perceive the true beauty and richness of consecrated life—beyond the tangible impact of your generous service, which you carry out with a quality of care that seems almost innate to you: the very care of Jesus, the Good Shepherd."
Father Ottavio Todeschini, who served the parish from 1973 to 1977, described the Suore Pastorelle (Sisters of the Good Shepherd) in his homily: “They have the ability—and the patience—to mend the tears in the fabric of love that they have witnessed in so many mothers, fathers, young people, and children. They have reached out to others and pointed the way toward a life to be lived as a celebration—for we are called to live life as a celebration, like the Wedding Feast at Cana. That is how I have seen these Sisters: consecrated to God... given to families, given to young people... And their gaze—their ability to look at our faces with the eyes of the Good Shepherd. Sisters of Jesus the Good Shepherd—known as Pastorelle—because they look upon the world, and are capable of looking at it, with the eyes of the Good Shepherd.”
Then, addressing the Pastorelle sisters, he expressed the hope that they would continue to be a joyful, fraternal, and simple—yet authentic—presence among the families of Castel d’Azzano and throughout the world.
Finally, after the celebration, everyone gathered in the parish hall—friends, parishioners, and representatives of the Pastorelle—to share a lavish spread and continue the festivities.
Sr Irene Tollini
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