“I Have Experienced Love” Rome marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Ven. Mother Maria Oliva Bonaldo with two days of study, prayer and witness

Two days of study, prayer and shared reflection brought to a close the celebrations in Rome marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Mother Maria Oliva Bonaldo, Foundress of the Daughters of the Church. Under the theme “I Have Experienced Love”, the gathering offered an opportunity to revisit the spiritual and ecclesial legacy of a woman whose profound intuition of the mystery of the Church anticipated many of the themes later articulated by the Second Vatican Council.

The commemorative programme began on Friday, 10 July, at the General House of Sancta Maria with an address by Fr Ambroise Atapka, who reflected on the 33 Leaflets—Mother Oliva's foundational text of 1934—in the light of the contemporary Magisterium. Describing the work as a "jewel", he emphasised its God-centred vision of the Church and its remarkable theological insight.

Fr Ambroise showed how Mother Oliva's reflections anticipated the principal constitutions of the Second Vatican Council: the primacy of the liturgy (Sacrosanctum Concilium), the Church as a mystery rooted in the life of the Trinity (Lumen Gentium), the central place of the Word of God in the Church's life (Dei Verbum), and the Church's mission of dialogue with the world (Gaudium et Spes). He also highlighted her understanding of Ecclesia Mater—the Church as Mother, who, following Christ, generates new life through Baptism and accompanies her children in faith.

The opening day concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist, presided over by His Excellency Monsignor Filippo Ciampanelli.

The following day, Saturday, 11 July, the programme continued at the Domus Aurea Retreat Centre with Holy Mass celebrated by His Eminence Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça. In his homily, the Cardinal encouraged those present to become "guardians of a living tradition", capable of transmitting the faith through lives shaped by the Gospel, and to cultivate the delicate art of "bringing children to faith".

The morning's round-table discussion explored different expressions of the love that animated Mother Maria Oliva's life and mission.

Professor Filomena Sacco, who teaches Moral Theology at several Pontifical universities, reflected on the relationship between obedience and discernment. Drawing on St Augustine's description of love as the "weight of the soul", she explained how authentic love transforms obedience from mere obligation into a path of freedom. Referring also to the spiritual traditions of St Ignatius of Loyola and St Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori, she highlighted their deep affinity with Mother Oliva's spiritual vision.

Fr Ambrogio Giuffrida, a priest of the Archdiocese of Syracuse, presented the vocation of the priest as a "Son of the Church", called to love the Mystical Body of Christ with the same faithful and self-giving love with which Christ loves his Bride.

Sr Giulia Iuso, a Daughter of the Church, reflected on Mother Oliva's relationship with the poor, whom she regarded not simply as those in need, but as a privileged place of encounter with Christ himself—a living revelation of his presence.

The afternoon was devoted to the voices of the wider charismatic family. Personal testimonies illustrated how Mother Oliva's charism continues to inspire lives and communities across different cultures and ecclesial contexts.

Representing the Fraternity of the Sons of the Church in Santo Stefano Briga (Messina), Paolo Zagami spoke of a love that calls for "hearts as wide as the world", capable of genuine compassion and of becoming, in the ordinary circumstances of daily life, authentic "weavers of communion".

Among the witnesses was Fr Vladimir, an Orthodox priest, who recalled their shared service among the poor on the streets of Rome, offering a moving sign of fraternity and ecumenical friendship. Anna and Rossella spoke of rediscovering both their faith and their sense of belonging to the Church through the communities of Nicotera in Calabria, Mestre in Veneto, Nuoro in Sardinia and Barcelona in Spain. Sr Eterna, who had known the Foundress personally, offered a deeply moving remembrance of Mother Oliva's attentive listening, maternal presence and capacity to accompany each person with wisdom and tenderness.

The celebrations concluded with a time of Eucharistic adoration, entrusting to the Lord the desire to continue walking faithfully with the Church and in the service of her mission.

Reflecting on the significance of the anniversary, the Superior General, Mother María Santos García, reminded those present that the occasion was not simply one of remembrance, but an invitation "to set out anew from the Heart of Christ towards the crossroads of humanity".

Fifty years after her death, Mother Maria Oliva Bonaldo's witness continues to speak with quiet strength. Her legacy remains alive wherever men and women seek to live in communion with Christ and in loving service to the Church. As she herself desired, her spiritual family continues to be formed of "contemplatives, always united to Him; and apostles, always open to everyone."

Sr Alice ef