Franciscan Immaculatine Sister
Franciscan Immaculatine Sister – Sister Amata Veritas, S.F.I. “A new homage to the Immaculate Conception”
Founder: Fr. Lodovico Acernese, OFM Cap. ( who had an extraordinary love for Mary ) Foundress: Blessed Teresa Manganiello ( Third Order Franciscan and “cornerstone” )
Place: Pietradefusi, Avellino, Italy
Year: December 8, 1881 A.D. ( Feast of the Immaculate Conception )
Her Charism: This Sister is part of the broader Franciscan Family that is particularly devoted to the Immaculate Virgin Mary. She shares the Capuchin charism which focuses on prayer, contemplation, penance, humility, joyful sacrifice, and service to those in need. Her work involves education, pastoral care, catechesis, missionary activities, and frequently working alongside the Capuchin Franciscan Friars. Her Marian spirituality flavors all her work, She seeks the “lesser” in her relationship with others so as to serve God in the “other” and fosters communion with them. This Sister shows the transforming power of the Gospel proclaimed in word and action as she strives to love and serve Christ with a seraphic burning love. Her vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience allow her to conform herself more closely to Christ Who was poor, chaste, and obedient to His Father in Heaven. These vows free her, detaching her from selfishness or earthly possessions and makes possible bringing the Good News of reconciliation and salvation to the men and women of the third millennium with missionary zeal. She recaptures the simplicity of the authentic charism of St. Francis of Assisi by focusing on contemplative prayer and with a generous penitential spirit. Like Mary, who was a woman of silence, given to listening and docile in the Hands of the Father, she shines as a light in the darkness as she spreads the beautiful fragrance of Christ’s humanity to all she meets. ☩ Her habit is a sign of her Consecration to the Lord and is a daily reminder to follow the Lord’s invitation to take up her cross and follow Him. ☩