This year, the Consolata Feast holds an even deeper significance, as it takes place within the journey of the Jubilee of Hope, which calls us to “become missionaries of hope among the people, ‘artisans’ of hope, and restorers of a humanity that is often distracted and unhappy.”
This is what the Superior General, Father James Lengarin, IMC, states in his Message entitled: “Gazing upon the Virgin Mary Consolata: A Model of Faith, Charity, and Hope”, shared on the occasion of the feast which is celebrated on June 20th.
“In the company of Mary Consolata, “Mother of Hope, whom popular devotion continues to invoke as ‘Stella Maris’, or as star of the sea, an expressive title of the certain hope that, amidst the stormy events of life, the Mother of God comes to our aid, supports us, and invites us to trust and to continue hoping”, underlines Father Lengarin, who specifically in the perspective of “Hope” focuses on some aspects of the history of the Sanctuary of the Consolata which began in the year 924.
Father General recalls that: “St. Giuseppe Allamano played a crucial role in the sanctuary’s history and in spreading devotion to the Consolata. His profound Marian spirituality led him to promote devotion to Mary Consolata, and he personally set aside moments each day to contemplate the Virgin’s icon. From the “coretto”, his gaze was met by Mary’s, who sustained him in his duties as rector and guided him in his concerns for the emerging Institutes.”
In his message, the Superior General invites to celebrate the Consolata feast by contemplating her icon. “Let us take a moment to gaze upon her image, whether in small devotional prints, paintings in our churches and chapels, in corridors, or in the offices where we work”. In short: “Let us feel Consolata close to us!”
“I invite everyone to make this invocation: Mary, grant us your consoling gaze!”
“We ask this especially for weary and sick missionaries, for those who feel discouraged and disillusioned, who need to be seen by the Mother who knows them better than anyone, with tenderness and care.”
“We ask it for all those who feel lonely and abandoned migrants, children in refugee camps, indigenous peoples, pygmies and the defenceless; for those who suffer due to war and injustice, who do not yet know Jesus, and for young people struggling to find work.”
“To the comforting and caring gaze of Mary, we entrust Pope Leo XIV, our new Superiors, and the Circumscriptions Councils. May the Virgin Consolata guide them with her wisdom and inspire them with her love in their service to the Church and the Institute”, wishes Father James Lengarin.
Below is the full text of the Superior General’s message
