Last Saturday, November 20, the City Council of the Tourist Complex of Itu (State of San Paolo) awarded the title of public recognition to the Redemptorist Sisters of Itu. The presentation took place informally, after the celebration of Mass at 15:00 hours in the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated by Father José Donizetti Zanello, Chaplain of the Churches of Nossa Senhora do Patrocínio and Imaculada Conceição.
The tribute to the nuns was granted by the Municipality of Itu last year through a project proposed by the then councillor Rodrigo Macruz (PDT). But due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the award was only possible this year. Despite this, the nuns received the title in isolation, without personal contact with those present, both because of the cloister, the regime under which they live in the convent, and to avoid the risk of contamination and contagion.
The ceremony was attended by the councillor Thiago Gonçales, president of the municipal council of Itu, the deputy mayor of Itu, Luciano Ribeiro, who at the time represented the Municipal Council, and the former mayor Olavo Volpato, current head of the Department of Labour, who, together with Macruz, awarded the title of public recognition to the nuns. Also present were guests who regularly collaborate with the nuns in the maintenance of the convent.
97 years of work and prayer
The Redemptorist Sisters settled in Itu in 1924, coming from the city of Vassouras (Rio de Janeiro) and provide an inspiring example based on a simple life of total dedication and centred on prayer. Belonging to the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer, the nuns live fully the life of contemplation and prayer practised in the silence of the enclosure, as recommended by the foundress of the order, the Italian Mother Maria Celeste Crostarosa. They dedicate themselves to a simple life, meditating and contemplating the word of God. According to the Institute, one of their characteristics is to live the joy of the Gospel in simplicity and fraternity, not leading an austere life of penance or extraordinary mortification, but living according to the spirit of the Beatitudes. But they also work in the monastery, and for years they have produced hosts for the churches of various dioceses in Brazil.
At present, the Order of the Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer has 40 monasteries in different countries of the world, two of which are located in Brazil, the Monastery of the Holy Face and the Most Pure and Sorrowful Heart of Mary in São Fidélis, Rio de Janeiro, and the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception in Itu, which will now be moved to the city of Aparecida-SP.
By decision of the Order of the Most Holy Redeemer, the building where the Monastery of Itu is located on Rua Capitão Sílvio Fleming, corner with Rua Luiz Gazzola, in the centre, was sold in 2019. The name of the buyer has not yet been revealed. We only know that part of the transfer has already gone to Aparecida on February 5 and that the Redemptorist Sisters will move to the city of Aparecida, where a new space is being built to accommodate them.
(ituanos.com.br)
