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Giving of herself and believing was her life's plan.

In Fabriano, Italy, on October 9, 2022, by mandate of Pope Francis, Sister Maria Costanza Panas, a Capuchin Poor Clare, was solemnly proclaimed Blessed.

The celebration took place in the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of the Diocese of Fabriano-Matelica, with significant participation from the faithful and the presence of many Capuchin nuns, friars, priests and representatives of civil and religious institutions; Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of the Saints, presided over the liturgy.

In his homily, the Cardinal spoke about Mother Panas: "In the spiritual context of God's mercy and humanity’s grateful, joyful and prompt response to Him, we now consider the earthly life of Blessed Maria Constanza Panas, her response to the monastic vocation and her spirituality. She has left at our disposal many spiritual writings, although they were intended primarily for her fellow sisters at the Monastery where she was abbess practically until the end of her life (...) We can say that a synopsis of Blessed Maria Costanza’s life is to be found in the epigraph placed on her tomb: “She gave herself to God and for Him to all, always believing in His love.” The faith of Mother Maria Costanza Panas was, therefore (as one witness declared during the process of beatification) "a living faith that drove her to give herself wholeheartedly to God ... giving of herself and believing was what defined her life" (Positio – Summarium: test. 8, pg. 53)”.

Presented as a relic was the pen with which she wrote many small treatises and letters intended for her novices, nuns or spiritual children, many of whom were priests. In her youth she made a unique "vow of the pen," by which she pledged throughout her life not to write anything except for Jesus and about Jesus – not to use the pen except for Him. Her abundant writings (letters, meditations, treatises on spiritual life, commentaries on the Psalms and Gospels) reveal a spiritual and mystical concentration that was carefully cultivated through reading and study; they were made available to her contemporaries to help them and stimulate them on their faith journeys. This was rare coming from contemplatives in the first half of the 20th century. She had the ability to listen deeply to the many people who came to her, and she spared no effort in devoting her time to spiritual talks in the monastery parlor. Her spiritual apostolate was impressively fruitful through conversations and writings. At the end of her life, Blessed Maria Costanza offered her sufferings for the fruits of the Second Vatican Council, which was held 60 years ago.

Last modified on Wednesday, 12 October 2022 16:11
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