Sister Gabriella Pettirossi professes perpetual vows MERIDEN, CT (03-15-2008) - Sister Gabriella Pettirossi, FSE professed perpetually the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience during a festive Mass at St. Rose Church, Meriden, on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 15, 2008. Sister Gabriella's parents, Nello and Mafalda Pettirossi of Assisi, Italy, were present at the Mass. Sister's aunt, a cousin and a family friend, all from near Assisi, traveled to Meriden for the occasion. The Most Reverend Paul S. Loverde, Bishop of Arlington, was the principal celebrant of the Mass, assisted by eight priests. Sister Gabriella ministers in the marriage tribunal of the Diocese of Arlington and as a therapist at Catholic Charities in Arlington. She is a member of the FSE Falls Church, Virginia, center. In his homily, Bishop Loverde spoke about Sister Gabriella's perpetual commitment as a way of eliminating all "maybes" from her lexicon and from her life. Her vows are permanent. Sister's parents spoke at the end of the ceremony, sharing their process of surprise, struggle and now joyous affirmation of their daughter's choice of religious life. Sister Agnese Hutchinson, FSE represented the Assisi Sisters' community and translated for Mr. and Mrs. Pettirossi. Sister Gabriella earned her academic degrees in Italy and in the United States. She received a Masters in Marketing and Management of Touristic Enterprises from the University of Perugia, a Post-Masters Certificate in Theology with Summa Cum Laude honors from Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, Connecticut, and a Masters degree in marriage and family therapy from Central Connecticut State University.
|
