| Mary,
the first handmaid of the Lord, with her willful compliance
became the Mother of God and instrument of redemption for all
humanity. Following Mary's example we have a calling and mission
that finds its sources and inspiration in the Heart of Christ.
The Eucharist is the center and life work of the Handmaids of
Reparation. Mary is our model and with her we sing: "Magnify the
Lord with me!" Through our work we proclaim our Magnificat and
with Mary express our joyful acceptance of God's will: we love
for those who don't love, praise for those who don't praise,
sacrifice for those who offend Him with their sins.
In all aspects of our
life and work we draw deeply from our community life and
treasure it as a gift from God. We come together to share
prayer, affection, decisions and happiness, and to encourage one
another to fulfill the vision of our founder: "Reparation is
Love and Love is Reparation. The Lord wants both. Each Handmaid
must make this mission her own goal for the glory of God and the
salvation of souls." We strive for a deeper personal and
communal life.
Our full religious
habit is a sign of this call in a contemporary world. Together,
we achieve the command of Christ: "Where two or more are
gathered in My Name, I am there in their midst." Monsignor
Antonino Celona founded the Order of the Handmaids of Reparation
of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Messina, Italy, in 1918. Our
work: education all levels, religious training, parochial and
diocesan ministry, orphanages, and missionary work.
The Order has
expanded to several continents serving in Italy, United States
(Ohio and Virginia), Africa, Brazil and Poland. |