4th Superior General of the Institute 50th death anniversary
November 20, 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Mother Chiara Grasselli, Superior General from 1967 to 1971, an unforgettable and cherished Superior General, as well as an extraordinary Cabrinian Missionary figure.
Mother Chiara had the courage and the spiritual intelligence to transform the Institute of the MSC concerning all aspects related to the historical ecclesial culture prior to the Second Vatican Council as well as to the conventual culture of the 19th century. We owe to her this great accomplishment, promoted without betraying our “Cabrinian spirit”:
1. The Charismatic aspect of the Congregation involving the study of the sources, the writings of our Foundress, the discernment of the works, the deepening of our Missionary Identity, the style of prayer of an Apostolic Community which is different from that of a Monastic Community.
2. The Missionary/Ecclesial aspect favoring communities established in poor countries – Brazil, Nicaragua, Guatemala; for Emigrants – Switzerland, Aylesbury (United Kingdom), Borgo Lombardo (Lombardy) & Luxembourg. In the Middle East (Lebanon) and in Africa (Swaziland). The opening to Parishes, and the participation in Ecclesial and Religious Organizations, such as UISG, USMI, Emigration Office, Justice and Peace, etc.
3. The Institutional aspect favoring and implementing the Council Renewal by convoking the Extraordinary Chapter, promoting the study of our New Constitutions, the change of habit; theological, spiritual, and Biblical professional study; formation of Provinces, Regions, and Missions; and integration of the Zirafa Institute.
But above all, she struggled to ensure that the priority of charity and fraternity would be above institutional schematism and rigidity. Her immense prophetic work was then undertaken and continued by the following Superior General, Mother Regina Casey.