My dear sisters in Christ, especially you, the Missionary Sisters of St. Anthony Mary Claret, as we ponder the life of your beloved Foundres...
My dear sisters in Christ, especially you, the Missionary Sisters of St. Anthony Mary Claret, as we ponder the life of your beloved Foundress, Mother Leonia Milito, alongside the Sacred Scriptures for this Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, three powerful words resonate: Hospitality, Humility, Hearing.
Our first reading from Genesis beautifully paints a picture of Abraham's Hospitality. He doesn't just welcome the strangers; he rushes to them, bows down, and offers far more than they could have imagined. This is not merely about providing food and shelter; it's about an open heart, a readiness to serve, and a deep respect for the unexpected guest. Mother Leonia Milito embodied this profoundly in her mission. Her very founding of your congregation was an act of profound hospitality – welcoming the call of the Holy Spirit to care for the "poor, alienated, dispossessed and humble people," in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Oceanea. Her life was an invitation to those marginalized by society, offering them the love and dignity they deserved. For you my dear nieces, this calls you to be open-hearted, to see Christ in every person you encounter, and to extend a welcoming hand, especially to those who are most in need of genuine welcome and care.
Yet, true hospitality, as shown in our second reading from Colossians, is often intertwined with Humility. St. Paul speaks of rejoicing in his sufferings, filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of the Church. This isn't a boast, but a humble recognition that his own struggles, when united with Christ, contribute to the great mystery of salvation. Mother Leonia, too, faced "struggles, sufferings and opposition" in founding your congregation. It took immense humility to persevere, to place herself "totally at the disposal of the Church," and to follow God's will despite the challenges. This profound humility allowed her to be a channel of God's grace, not relying on her own strength, but on His. For each of you, sisters, this means embracing the often-hidden work, the difficult moments, the unseen sacrifices, with a humble heart, knowing that it is in emptying yourselves that Christ truly fills you and works through you.
Finally, we arrive at the Gospel of Luke, a profound lesson in Hearing. Martha, busy with her many tasks of hospitality, becomes distracted. Mary, however, chooses the "better part" – sitting at Jesus' feet, listening to His word. Jesus reminds us that while service is good, listening to Him, being present to His presence, is paramount. Mother Leonia’s life, steeped in Eucharistic devotion, highlights this very point. Her conviction that the Eucharist is the "secret of its perennial vitality" shows that her active missionary zeal flowed from a deep, contemplative Hearing of God's voice in prayer and the Sacraments. For you, the MC Sisters, your active apostolate of evangelization and care for the poor must always be nourished by this "better part"—the quiet time spent listening to the Lord, discerning His will, and drawing strength from His presence. It is in this profound Hearing that your actions become truly fruitful and your hospitality truly divine.
May the lives of Abraham, St. Paul, Martha, and Mary, and most especially, the inspiring journey of your Foundress, Mother Leonia Milito, guide you. May you continue to embody generous Hospitality, profound Humility, and an attentive Hearing of God’s word, so that Christ's mystery may continue to be revealed through you, the Missionary Sisters of St. Anthony Mary Claret, for the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Amen.
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