Address of Mother Miriam Cunha Sobrinha

Superior General of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

November 3, 2018

I greet with gratitude His Eminence Cardinal Giovanni Becciu, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints, and representative of Pope Francis in this celebration.

I affectionately also greet His Eminence Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Vicar of the Holy Father for the Diocese of Rome.

I greet you dear Bishops, friends of the Apostles, with whom we collaborate directly in the various Dioceses they represent. I also greet the civil authorities here present.

In addition, I greet the dear priests and sisters who have come from so many parts of Italy and the world, as well as the young people and families who live our spirituality.

I greet the inmates of the Avezzano prison and the young women victims of human trafficking, assisted by our sisters and who are present here today.

Greetings also to our teachers, students and the employees of our apostolates who are also here.

I greet all of you who have taken part in this celebration.

The great day which has long been awaited by all of us Apostles and by you who share in our charism and spirituality has finally arrived!

From my heart and the hearts of all Apostles throughout the world the prayer of the Magnificat rises up to God because he has “exalted the humility of his servant”, Clelia Merloni”!

We are experiencing the indescribable joy and consolation that belongs to those who have reached a long desired goal: the beatification of our beloved Mother Foundress.

Dear Cardinals, Bishops, Priests and Deacons! Thank you for your presence and prayer. You represent the Church who welcomes, confirms and makes public this beautiful gift which God freely gives us today in the beatification of Mother Clelia!

This moment confirms the timeliness of Mother Clelia in the Church and opens for us a new era of hope, because Mother’s life, lived in hiddenness and as an offering to God, shows us that suffering, pain, misunderstanding, slander and persecution are not the last word. The last word belongs to the merciful love of God who loves us and forgives us always!

Today, as humanity is going through a time of darkness, uncertainty, and the absence of strong points of reference, Mother Clelia speaks to us with her life that the Heart of Jesus is the light that illumines the night, a safe ship in stormy times.

As an Apostle of the Sacred Heart of Jesus she learned the lesson of humility and forgiveness directly from the Master and she has taught it to us.

THANK YOU DEAREST MOTHER for your witness of boundless trust in the Sacred Heart of Jesus and for your courage in giving your own life for the good of the Church, the Institute and for the conversion and salvation of sinners.

Thank you for your forgiveness and your blessing!

We ask you to accompany us on the streets of the world, bringing to ALL the good news of forgiveness and the love that saves!

Thank you to everyone!