THE FIRST CANOSSIAN MISSION

Hong Kong 12 of April 1860

Re-writing our story in the light of the faith, we can recognize the signs of Divine Providence covered in the events, in the persons which become in the hands of God the instruments of His Divine project. This is visible also at the beginning of the spreading of the Institute over the bordiers of Italy.

We are in the XVIII century and we find ourselves at a time of religious and missionary renewal in the Catholic Church. This appeal is felt very much in the seminaries and in the religious institutes of Italy.

In 1850 Ramazzotti, founded a new seminary for a Foreign Missions and entrusted it to the PIME Fathers. From this seminary the first missionaries leave for Oceania, India, Hong Kong.

Ramazzotti, in Pavia (1852) found a great response to this call in the person of sr Luigia Grassi, a sister full of zeal and great desire to go to the missions. He then ask the superior, Margherita Crespi, to send sisters to Hong Kong and to India, to collaborate with the fathers in their missionary work.

Meanwhile the bishop becomes the patriarch of Venice. The Institute of Dauthers of Charity choose four young sisters to be sent for the foreign mission: Maria Stella 27 years old, Rachele Tronconi 34 years old, Giuseppina Testera 29 years old, Giovanna Scotti 22 years old. From the house of Venice reach them: Lucia Cupis 40 years old and Claudia Compagnotti, the novice 20 years old.

On 28 of Februray 1860, the first Daughters of Saint Magdalene leaved Italy to bring the Good News of Jesus and His Divine Mercy to Hong Kong, where they reached 12 of April of the same year. Thus the realise the dream of the Foundress:

“JESUS IS NOT LOVED BECAUSE HE IS NOT KNOWN.
ABOVE ALL, LETS MAKE JESUS KNOW THATS HE WOULD BE LOVED”.