February 7 marked the 115th birthday of the servant of God Sister Dulcissima Hoffmann SMI. We began preparations for the celebration of this event by praying a nine-day novena, to which we also encouraged Internet users on social networks, and invited people who belonged to the group of Friends of Sr. Dulcissima. Another proposal to celebrate was to take part in the jubilee birthday through the virtual initiative #Dulcissima115.
Step one. Sister Dulcissima’s concern was to give glory to the Triune God, hence the idea to offer intercessors to praise God, specifically, to offer a minute of praise to the Lord (in any form) during the day – at the same time making a personal declaration.
The second step, was to draw, from 115 suggested prayer intentions, one intention for the tenth of the rosary. Interestingly, most people drew intentions: for the Holy Church, for priests and also intentions to praise God for the gift of Helen Hoffmann’s life. As we know, the handmaid of God prayed a lot and made spiritual sacrifices for the Holy Church, for priests, and for our congregation.
Taking the third step was to have coffee or tea with the Jubilarian, take a photo and send it to biuro@dulcissima.pl.
Statistics show that 130 Internet users took part in the #Dulcissima115 initiative, for which God be thanked.
On Friday, February 7, during the morning Eucharist celebrated at our Brest monastery, we thanked God for the gift of Helena Hoffmann’s life and for the good that the Good Lord bestows through her intercession.
On her birthday, more than 100 people met in our monastery at the birthday cake, coffee and tea. We prepared the first birthday cake before noon and the second cake was shared in the afternoon. A great number of guests visited us that day, including priests, sisters from other religious congregations, those who felt invited by the Jubilarian herself came, and many people shared their experience of friendship with Sr. Dulcissima and also many told of graces received through her intercession. We rejoiced in the presence of Superior General M. Sybilla, sisters from Tanzania and also Provincial Superior Sr. Magdalena, sisters from neighboring communities.
It was a beautiful day, lived in joy, unity and gratitude.
The central birthday celebration took place on Sunday, February 9, in the Church of St. Joseph the Worker in Swietochlowice Zgoda about which I will write in the next post.
s. Małgorzata Cur SMI