Sr. M. ANSELMINA PERAZINNI
Sister Mary Anselmina was one of the first Pious Disciples, together with Sister Mary Lourdes Ramirez, who arrived in Venezuela to begin our presence in this land of grace. They were chosen by Mother Mary Lucia Ricci and Father Giacomo Alberione.
I had the honor of meeting her personally and interviewing her, in mid-October 2012, in Blessed Timothy Giaccardo Community, Via Portuense, Rome. When she learned that I was Venezuelan and that I wanted to listen to and record her testimony for a historical work, in view of the celebration of our fifty years of presence in Venezuela, she was moved. Her eyes shone and a big smile filled her face with life. My ears were delighted by her anecdotes, which she seemed to relive again.
Let her speak to us:
“Almost fifty years have passed, but I have beautiful memories of Venezuela, a land of grace. I was thirty-three years old when Mother Lucia Ricci, with the approval of Fr Alberione, asked me to go and found a community in your country. Lourdes Ramirez, a young Colombian junior, arrived from the port of Naples, Italy, on June 11, 1963, on the ship “Donizetti”, with a heart full of hope and faith.
After thirteen days on the ship, we arrived at the port of La Guaira and were welcomed by Father Angelo Vagnoni, a Pauline priest. He was accompanied by Sister Maria Graziana Lo Scialpo, a Daughter of St. Paul. Upon arrival at the Seminary, located in El Hatillo, we were greeted with great joy by the priests, disciples and 13 young aspirants. The evening of that same day, Fr Giacomo Alberione arrived from Brazil. He was very attentive to us and told us to look for vocations and to find a place to open a Center for the Liturgical Apostolate. Meanwhile, our life and mission took place in the Seminary of the Society of St. Paul.
We moved on and on April 2, 1964, we rented a house to build our first community. In the middle of that year, two temporary professed sisters arrived: Sister Juanita Bernal (Colombian) and Sister Margarita Ceballos (Mexican). The first young women with vocational desires began to arrive and we joyfully began the perpetual Eucharistic adoration. In 1965, with the assurance of Fr Alberione, we opened the first Liturgical Apostolate Center in Pasaje “Las Gradillas”. We began in a small room rented from the management of the Caracas Cathedral. On August 9, 1965, we signed the first installment for the purchase of land located in El Hatillo, near the Seminary of the Pauline Fathers and the Daughters of St. Paul.
Despite the great difficulties and much work, we have always remained confident in God’s providence and in the promise of Jesus the Master: “Do not be afraid, I am with you, from here I want to enlighten. Have sorrow for your sins and live in continual conversion.”
In 1966 I returned to Italy, but my heart is always there and accompanies you all. Forgive me if I do not remember many things, but I entrust your work to the Lord, and I remember you all in my poor prayer”.
Sister Maria Anselmina, with trembling hands, took out some of the photographs of our “first hour” in Venezuela, which she had already prepared to show me, and her face was illuminated with that smile of those who remember with love and joy of all that they have given to the Lord.
I thank Jesus the Master for giving me the opportunity to meet with Sr Anselmina and to interview her. His witness of dedication and fidelity has enriched my vocation as a Pious Disciple.
She went home to the Father’s House on November 18, 2013, at the age of 83.
(S. M. Lorena Perata)