During the Eucharistic celebration, Fr. Attard delivered a homily rich in insights, addressing the challenges, renewal, and mission of consecrated life, drawing inspiration from the Gospel of the vine and branches. He referred to this Gospel as a key to understanding the spiritual, pastoral, and even biological dimensions of consecrated life.

He emphasized that at the center of the Gospel image is Christ, the "true vine," who is the foundation of all fruitfulness in faith. He warned against the dangers of a frenetic and self-referential life, where worldly criteria for success risk suffocating the spiritual dimension: “Every crisis, every doubt about our relevance, finds its answer in a return to Christ, the source of love, hope, and strength.”

Fr. Attard explained the importance of the verb "remain," interpreting it as a call to persevering fidelity in the face of disorienting changes and temptations for immediate gratification. This fidelity, he said, manifests itself in prayer, the Eucharist, and community life: “Remaining in Christ is the antidote to fragmentation, the compass that guides us through relational difficulties, institutional challenges, and the necessary pruning for authentic growth.”

He also spoke about true fruitfulness, which does not arise from performance or worldly recognition but from a life transformed by Christ's presence. He urged religious communities to focus on the quality of relationships, adherence to Christ, and service, reminding them that even the smallest and most hidden communities can bear extraordinary fruit if they remain rooted in Him.

Mother Mazzarello: A Living Example of the Gospel

Fr. Attard then turned his attention to Saint Mary Domenica Mazzarello, co-founder of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, presenting her as a radiant reflection of the Gospel image of the vine and branches.

He described Mother Mazzarello as a woman deeply rooted in Christ, whose spirituality was characterized by simplicity, humility, and an intimate relationship with God. Her "remaining in Christ" was expressed in her fidelity to daily duties, in prayer, and in service to others: “Her strength, her joy, and her decisions were all guided by her constant gaze toward the tabernacle.”

Fr. Attard highlighted how the foundation of the FMA Institute, in collaboration with Don Bosco, is the most evident fruit of her union with Christ. Even the difficulties she faced, such as illness and the initial challenges of the Institute, were interpreted as painful but necessary pruning for more authentic fruitfulness. Her spirit of family, her ability to create communion, and her gentle yet firm encouragement were tangible expressions of Christ's love circulating within the community.

A Call for Renewal and Authentic Witness

Concluding his homily, Fr. Attard issued a challenge to all consecrated persons, inviting them to rediscover Christ as the source of their identity, joy, and mission. He urged them to live this Gospel dynamic authentically in the present, facing challenges with courage and hope: “The memory of Mother Mazzarello is not just a recollection of the past but a living call to bear fruit today and for the future.”

Fr. Fabio Attard's visit to the Generalate of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians was a significant moment of faith and communion. His words, inspired by the Gospel and the testimony of Mother Mazzarello, offered everyone an invitation to live their vocation with greater intensity and authenticity. This celebration strengthened the bonds of the Salesian Family, reminding all that true fruitfulness is born from union with Christ, the source of hope and joy.

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