With special attention being focused on the vocations lived by men and women religious during the celebration of the 14-month Year of Consecrated Life called for by Pope Francis, Rhode Island Catholic is publishing a series of reflections on religious orders whose members serve in the diocese.
The beginning of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden goes back to 1829 when Anthony Gianelli was pastor of St. John’s Church in Chiavari, Province of Genoa, North Italy. At that time, many young girls, abandoned to themselves, were wandering the streets of the city. He also noticed that there were a school in Chiavari and a hospital which needed dedicated people.
“What can I do to respond to these needs?” Father Gianelli asked himself. His question was answered when he was inspired to start a new Religious Order. Twelve young ladies answered his appeal, and so on the evening of January 12, 1829, a new Religious Family was born: The Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden who, besides answering the needs of the people of the city of Chiavari, were destined to spread the Gianellian spirituality throughout the world in no time.
Today there are about seven hundred Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden reaching out to the needs of the people in the five continents and precisely in the countries of: Italy, Spain, Holy Land, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, USA, and Papua New Guinea.
What is the Charism of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden?
Anthony Gianelli wanted his spiritual daughters to live in Vigilant Evangelical Charity and to go where their service is most needed. He wanted them to be contemplative in action. “Their life,” he used to say, “should be a continuous prayer.” He also insisted that they should become holy by doing the ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Today the Daughters of Our Lady of the Garden continue to keep their eyes open to see the needs of the people. In February 2014, the Sisters came to know that St. Rocco Parish/School was looking for a Religious Order. Since the school they were working at in Brooklyn, New York, was going to close in June for lack of funds; they decided to inquire into the possibility of moving to Johnston, Rhode Island. At first this move appeared to be a monumental task. But to God nothing is impossible. The Sisters’ Founder used to say that when God wants the Sisters in some place, He Himself will remove all the obstacles. And this is exactly what happened.
In August 2014 three of the Sisters moved to St. Rocco Convent in Johnston. They felt welcomed by the students and their parents as well as by the parishioners. They have been very happy to spend their energies for the good of people in Johnston teaching in school, preparing the children to receive their sacraments, participating in all parish events, visiting health care centers, etc.
Anyone wishing more information may call St. Rocco Convent at 401 490 0855 or visit the Sisters’ web page at: www.sistersolg.org.
