Sister Maria Rita makes an appeal for help for a novitiate to house our many new vocations.
A Blessed Easter wish and Sister Maria Rita's updates below:
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By the grace of God, the Consoling Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus are blossoming with many new vocations, young ladies answering the call of God. The Mother-house in Italy has run out of room to house new vocations. Living solely out of Divine Providence, Mother Maria Rita now appeals to you for help. |
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The sisters have found a Capuchin convent built in the 1600's. It was recently a restaurant, but has been vacant for 5 years. Will you help them acquire and renovate this convent to once again open her doors to religious vocations?
See a slide show of the Capuchin convent at the bottom of the page.
See a slide show of the Capuchin convent at the bottom of the page.
February 25, 2021
Ave Maria!
Dear Friends and Benefactors
Here is the update for the purchase of the convent. The IOR (Vatican Bank) has accepted a cash offer of 1.070k Euro and the purchase will take place beginning of March. Thanks to all our very generous benefactors and one who has promised 500K, and with this being said, we are short 114K Euro in order to acquire it. We are very open to receive any donation that the benefactors desire to give because there are also lots of costs with the bureaucracy as well as for the repairs needed. Deo Gratias.
May this convent be another Bethany where Jesus can find a place to rest and be consoled. A Bethany that has been acquired thanks to all the sacrifices of all our dear and generous benefactors who will be constantly remembered by the community -in their prayers and sacrifices- as long as it lives. The Sisters, Postulants and Novices who will be living there most especially will remember you and all that you have done for them and the community.
God bless
Sr Maria Rita
Ave Maria!
Dear Friends and Benefactors
Here is the update for the purchase of the convent. The IOR (Vatican Bank) has accepted a cash offer of 1.070k Euro and the purchase will take place beginning of March. Thanks to all our very generous benefactors and one who has promised 500K, and with this being said, we are short 114K Euro in order to acquire it. We are very open to receive any donation that the benefactors desire to give because there are also lots of costs with the bureaucracy as well as for the repairs needed. Deo Gratias.
May this convent be another Bethany where Jesus can find a place to rest and be consoled. A Bethany that has been acquired thanks to all the sacrifices of all our dear and generous benefactors who will be constantly remembered by the community -in their prayers and sacrifices- as long as it lives. The Sisters, Postulants and Novices who will be living there most especially will remember you and all that you have done for them and the community.
God bless
Sr Maria Rita
We are
The Consoling Sisters
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
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Founded in 1961 by Fr. Basilio Rosati, a Passionist priest, the Consoling Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus were entrusted to Fr. Emmanuel du Chalard (SSPX) by Father Basilio in 1996. Currently, our mother-house is in Vigne di Narni, Italy. A typical day in the life of a Consoling Sister is Mass, prayer, study and work. Our work includes the formation of postulants and novices; daily upkeep of the chapel, the convent and its grounds with its numerous olive trees and gardens; arts such as sewing, embroidery, statue restorations and painting. We also teach catechism to the children, take care of the elderly in our nursing home, and visit the sick and needy in their homes in town. In 2006, Providence blessed us with a new apostolate in India – an orphanage and elderly home. With the help of benefactors from all over the world, a truly remarkable building was constructed that houses almost 100 people. Seven Indian sisters work tirelessly and are dedicated to educate orphan girls, and take care of the elderly, who are often found abandoned on the street in miserable condition. |
In 2014, the first American postulant arrived in Italy. With joy the community paid homage to Our Lady of Guadalupe for this gift. Her image was enthroned in our convent. From that moment the flow of young Americans has been non-stop, and our community now numbers 45 members. Now from 7 nationalities, we are 26 professed sisters, 8 novices, and 11 postulants, 20 of which are Americans, with many more desiring to try their vocation. With our numbers increasing exponentially in just these few years we have run out of space in our convent and church. Not wanting to refuse vocations God sends us, we have had no other choice but to put bunk-beds in the bedrooms, in the workroom, and even in the Superior’s office. Now we are faced with the problem of turning girls away who have asked to visit. We find ourselves urgently needing a larger convent for our mother-house and Novitiate to form the girls in the beginning of their religious life. |
Apostolate in India
Another difficulty we face everyday is the overflowing church. Not only have we outgrown our chapel, but out congregation of the laity has pushed us outside for the celebration of Holy Mass. This is a good problem, Deo Gratias, but the weather does not always bend its knee. We see over 100 faithful (and growing) on Sundays coming to multiple masses in our chapel which seats about 35.
Divine Providence through St. Joseph has lead us to an ex-Capuchin convent built in the 1600s, 40 minutes from Vigne where we live today. Restored in the year 2000 with a larger church, 30 bedrooms and 5 acres of land, this convent seems to be a God-send. Although, not having been occupied for 5 years, the convent has suffered some damages and vandalism such as gutters and pipes stolen, electric and hydraulic panels damaged, windows broken, and other problems.
At this time we have a friendly Bishop who is willing to sell this convent to us if we are able to raise much money. This Bishop is retiring next year, so we are feeling a sense of urgency to acquire a property now before it becomes more difficult in the future. We need to insure the sale by February, 2021. The final asking price is €1,150,000, a little over half of the original price. Restoration is estimated as an additional €200,000. Our community, relying solely on Divine Providence, turns to you as our hope.
Dear benefactors, we ask you to be instruments in the Hands of God to offer to His future spouses a place where, in silence, obedience, and fraternal charity, we can learn how to become true spouses who console the Heart of Jesus and spread the devotion to Him throughout the whole world.
We assure you of our special remembrance in our daily prayers and sacrifices, and most especially on Wednesdays of each week which is dedicated solely to our benefactors. We will remain forever grateful for your generosity.
May God bless you always.
Yours in the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
The Consoling Sisters
P.S.
Many of you know we may have the opportunity to start a foundation in the US. A trip planned last March to the US for this purpose was canceled due to the pandemic, but we hope and pray we can carry out this project as God permits.
Will you help us acquire and rehabilitate this convent back to its former glory?
Capuchin convent built in the 1600's
renovated in 2000, and unoccupied for 5 years.
renovated in 2000, and unoccupied for 5 years.