Daughter of Divine Providence

Daughter of Divine Providence   – Sister Palma Christi, F.D.P.                                                                                                          Figlie della Divina Provvidenza                                                                                                                  “Seek First the Kingdom of God.”

Founders:  Venerable Mother Maria Elena Bettini                                                                                                     Violante Parigiani and Luisa Migliacci  (followers)                                                                                 Reverend Lodovico Tomasso Manini, C.R.S.P.  (Barnabite priest)

Place:  Rome, Italy

Year:  September 8, 1882 A.D.

Her Charism:  Passionately searching  for the reign of God, this Daughter of Divine Providence is a “mother for the times” – full of love, prayer, trust, fraternal communion, and joy.  She gives her life to young orphaned girls on the streets who are uneducated, undisciplined, disturbed, rude, and who are looking for something  (love, shelter and schooling) and someone to offer them a future and give meaning to their lives.  She is called to live and transmit this message of great hope.  In a sense, this little Daughter is a seed ready to die so that it may flower and always be attentive to the needs of the least of our society..  Humility is her strongest attribute and gentleness her greatest secret.  Her mantra is rooted in her mission . . . “My daughters, always use with your children the way of gentleness and persuasion – love your children.”  She lives and teaches her students entirely abandoned to the Providence and Love of her Heavenly Father Who has the most care for her and will provide for all her needs.  Providence here is defined as the priority search for the Kingdom of God, in trusting and filial abandonment to the loving providence (Will) of the Father “Who  nourishes the birds of the sky and dresses the flowers of the fields with wonder.”  (Matt. 6: 26 – 34)  Therefore, she is a witness of God’s infinite goodness to the needy and love for every creature.  With a serene trust in Divine Providence, she recognizes Christ’s Face in every circumstance in life.  This Daughter also possesses a deep filial love for Mary, Mother of Divine Providence, who holds her hand and guides her on the paths of poverty and Providence, opening her heart to the “surprises of God”, keeping her free from the anxiety about tomorrow.   As God’s precious daughter, she feels herself in God’s Hands, beloved and forgiven, who is sent to witness to the world the beauty and gift of divine daughterhood.  She loves as far as the humility of the Cross of Jesus Christ – the Jesus Who is present in the Eucharist, in the Word, and in the mystery of death and resurrection.  With her peaceful family spirit, simplicity and meekness, she “carries the burdens of others.”  And with the simplicity of little ones, and unconditional  abandonment to the Father Who gives her the greatest liberty and profound serenity, she welcomes God’s gifts every day and shares them in the gratuitousness of love until her last supreme offering where she says:  “Father into Your Hands I commend my spirit.”