Sisters of the Mater Boni Consilii Institute
The Mater Boni Consilii Institute was founded in 1985 with the aim of giving God the glory due to Him through the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass; in this period of confusion, it stands as a means of perseverance in absolute fidelity to the deposit of the Faith revealed by God and set forth by the infallible Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
Until 2002, the Institute had only priests and laypeople as members. Nevertheless, from the very beginning, the possibility of a female branch had been considered. What was then merely a possibility has now taken shape with the formation of a ‘Congregation of Sisters of the Institute’.
Purpose of the Congregation
First and foremost, and in common with all religious institutes, the Sisters will seek their own sanctification, without which they cannot fruitfully devote themselves to the works of charity they will carry out.
The specific purpose of the Congregation is to assist the ministry of the Institute’s priests (propagating the good doctrine and good press, secretarial work, assisting with spiritual retreats, looking after the house…), the propagation of devotion to Our Lady of Good Counsel, the running of schools, children’s camps, nursery schools and oratories, catechism, and in general the practice of spiritual and corporal works of mercy, in accordance with the aims of the Mater Boni Consilii Institute (Constitutions of the Sisters of the Institute).
The programme is vast, yet proportionate to the great and urgent needs of souls in the crisis we are experiencing today. It is great and beautiful, for by consecrating themselves to the service of priests, the Sisters can work humbly yet effectively for the salvation of souls, both materially and spiritually, serving Jesus Christ in the person of his ministers.
Spirit of the Congregation
Being members of the Institute, the Sisters must increasingly acquire and cultivate within themselves the spirit of the Mater Boni Consilii Institute, which consists principally in the constant pursuit of God’s glory in all things, in a wholly filial attachement and submission to the Holy Church and her teachings, in the pursuit of their own sanctification, and finally in the practice of charity towards their neighbour. In the current situation of the Church, the Sisters shall adhere to the Cassiciacum Thesis, recognising the formal vacancy of the Apostolic See.
They must, furthermore, be animated by a very special devotion to the Holy Mass and by an unconditional love for the Patroness of the Institute, Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Under the patronage of Our Lady of Good Counsel
Deeply aware of their weakness, the Sisters of the Mater Boni Consilii Institute harbour a filial devotion to Our Lady, regarding her as their dear Mother, from whom they hope for the help necessary for their personal sanctification, for their activities, and for their perseverance; they offer themselves to Her, abandoning themselves entirely into Her hands to be led by Her on the path to Heaven, and they entrust every smallest action to Her, so that She may offer them to Her divine Son.
They venerate Her especially under the title of Mother of Good Counsel, turning to Her as their guide in all things and remaining constantly open to receiving from Our Lady the counsel and inspiration necessary to do at every moment what is most pleasing to God. They pray to Her with particular fervour in these times of crisis, that She may obtain for priests the graces they need in their ministry and enlighten them with Her counsel.
Status of the Congregation
The Congregation of the Sisters of the Institute has a community and a novitiate in Verrua Savoia. May God send numerous generous workers, eager to consecrate themselves unreservedly to Him, working with all their strength for their own sanctification and the salvation of souls, for the glory of God!
Current Activities
At present, activities are divided between assisting the Mother House of the Institute, secretarial work, catechism, producing a newsletter for the Eucharistic Crusade, youth activities, outings and short retreats for children… In the summer, activities vary with the camps of the Eucharistic Crusade and assistance with the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius.
Constitutions and Rules of the Institute: following in the footsteps of St John Bosco
The Constitutions of the Sisters of the Institute, like their religious habit, are inspired by and based on the Constitutions written by St John Bosco for the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians.
These Constitutions are of immense interest as they were drawn up by Don Bosco during a period of crisis, marked by a profoundly anti-religious climate.
It is, moreover, a great comfort, in the absence of authority, to know that these Rules were approved by a true Pope and that, in an era close to our own and so similar, they led a great number of souls onto the path of holiness and did so much good on earth!
Conditions for admission and an overview of the stages
Few conditions are required for admission as a Postulant: to be under thirty years of age, to have excellent morals, a good character, a sincere disposition towards the virtues proper to the Institute, and sufficient health (Constitutions of the Sisters of the Institute).
The postulancy lasts six months. During this period, the postulant studies in depth the spirit of the Institute and the activities she will undertake according to her abilities, and considers whether God is indeed calling her to consecrate herself to Him in this Institute.
The ceremony of the Taking of the Habit marks the beginning of the Novitiate, which lasts two years.
As she continues to deepen her vocation, the novice becomes increasingly imbued with the spirit of the Institute, preparing for religious life through the study of the vows she will later take.
After two years, the novice will take the three-year vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, before taking them definitively, a moment that will mark her unreserved gift of self to God.
In this world, wholly absorbed by earthly pleasures and oblivious of God, how greatly are souls needed who abandon themselves completely to Him, placing all their strength, all their abilities, their entire existence at His divine service, offering themselves for the salvation of countless souls.
Let us pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out many labourers!
May young women who wish to give themselves entirely to God, or even simply to seriously consider their vocation, not hesitate to contact us.
“…And everyone who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother… or fields for my sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Mt 19:27–29).
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To contact the Sisters of the Mater Boni Consilii Institute:
Casa Maria Ausiliatrice
Loc. Carbignano 40
10020 VERRUA SAVOIA (TO), ITALY
Tel: +39 0161 839 335
E-mail: 