Sister Gabriella Pettirossi Makes Vows

March 25, 2002. Meriden, Connecticut

Sister Gabriella Pettirossi made her first vows of chastity, poverty and obedience in the congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist at a Mass today in Meriden, CT. Sister Gabriella, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nello Pettirossi of Assisi, Italy, is the first Sister in the order from Assisi, the home of St. Francis and St. Clare. Sister pronounced her vows in both English and Italian.

With this step, Sister Gabriella is prepared to enter into more active participation in the mission of the Community. Mother Rosemae Pender, Mother General, received Sister's vows. Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Vicar General, presented Sister with a Franciscan cincture and the Community's insignia to wear as a sign of her vows.

The chapel was decorated with baskets of fruit and flowers surrounding a San Damiano cross to symbolize the extravagance of God's gift to Sister in her vowed life. The San Damiano cross is a replica of the cross that spoke to St. Francis of Assisi, telling him to "Go, rebuild My Church."

The Gospel of the day portrayed the extravagance of Mary (some say Mary Magdalen) in pouring out costly perfumed oil on Jesus' feet as a way of honoring Him. Mother Rosemae encouraged Sister Gabriella to continue to be, as Mary, a generous, giving woman, extravagant in her care for others and the Community.