01/08/2013
ALBERIONE IN MY LIFE AS A SISTER DISCIPLE OF THE DIVINE MASTER
Sr. Mary Tiziana Dal Masetto, pddm
(Professed of Perpetual Vows since 196O. Has been a missionary for forty years in Brazil, Philippines, and USA).
I joined the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master on October 11, 1951. I was fourteen years old. I would see Primo Maestro from the pew of our Chapel. He would walk slowly from the back along the nave towards the Altar to guide us in meditation. Meanwhile the community would be singing the Veni Creator Spiritus. Such visits would take place once or more every month. Soon I learned to concentrate myself upon his person, his eyes, his word and I could experience a strong connectedness with God.
Whether I was in Alba or in Rome I could see Primo Maestro only from the pew of the Chapel. From every visit of his, I could draw deeper meaning for my life and vocation. I could feel that he was in love with the vocation-spirituality-life of the Pious Disciples… I was aware of being touched by his shadow simply from the pew of the Chapel. There unnoticed…but very close to his heart, I saw myself growing in age, in wisdom and grace.
For the Religious Profession us Novices had the canonical examination with Primo Maestro. On that occasion I felt trembling inside…wondering within myself… “Will he read my soul? Will he tell me that I have no vocation? Will he send me home?”. Instead he posed some simple questions to me and gently with an assuring smile accompanied me to the door…
His gaze pointing far and wide had been for me a constant attraction. Very soon I noticed within my soul that “I was feeling what he was feeling”. The world was calling me… I didn’t hesitate to manifest my burning desire to become a missionary to our Mother M. Lucia Ricci.
I owe my missionary vocation to the direct influence of Primo Maestro. I could say that I had like a felt experience of his ardent zeal for God and for the peoples of the whole world. The “Cor Pauli Cor Christi erat” decorating the Communion rail of the Temple of Saint Paul in Alba was telling me that Primo Maestro was the new Paul enamored with Christ. Often I could feel my heart pulsating in union with their hearts: Paul-Christ-Alberione. My heart and their hearts united as one.
The day to leave for the mission came. I went to greet Primo Maestro and he asked me: “What are you going to do in Brazil?” “I will be working with young women in formation.” I said. Then after a moment he lifted his inclined recollected head and gazing at me attentively, he described of which Master we are Disciples. In a flash he brought before my eyes the Via Humanitatis.
It is still vividly imprinted in me:
“Remember - he said - to teach that the magisterium of the Divine Master begins with “Let there be Light…”, his magisterium continued through Abraham, Moses, the Prophets… and finally the Annunciation of the Incarnate Word… and the Word was made Flesh and walked along the roads of Palestine, teaching, healing, doing good to everyone… When his hour came, He entrusted Himself freely, blessed the bread saying: “Take and eat this is my body…”, then He took the chalice lifting his eyes to heaven “Take and drink: this is the chalice of the new covenant shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins…”.
Do you understand that this is the earthly magisterium of Jesus Christ ?
The center of his magisterium though consists in his Passion, his Death, his Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. Then He gave to the Church the Holy Spirit…
Do you understand that Jesus Master continues his magisterium here on earth from the Tabernacle… it is a Eucharistic magisterium. You need to expand very well this subject to the young ladies so that they may enter into the spirit of the Eucharistic virtues of Jesus… into his Eucharistic kenosis. This subject is of vital importance for you Disciples of the Divine Master. Look at humanity, where is she going? Which path is she treading? Which Master is showing her the way? Is the Divine Master the Way, the Truth, the Life of humanity?”
At this point Fr. Alberione, while gazing at me and tapping his hand with strength on the table, said: “Do you understand of which Master you are Disciples? Only of this Master and of no other - Then in a fatherly spirit gazing at me intently he added - The magisterium of the Divine Master accompanies humanity in her journey back to the heart of the Blessed Trinity from where her pilgrimage began. - And further more - Do not forget the glorious magisterium of Jesus Master in the bosom of the Divine Trinity, as He promised He went to prepare a place for us with the Father”.
That encounter with Primo Maestro made me feel as if I had been on Mount Tabor! From that August 1963 the universal magisterium of Christ Way, Truth and Life is something flowing in my veins… it is translated in “gifts of love” moment by moment,
in simplicity as I saw it in the life of Primo Maestro. He impressed me with his fire for God and for souls. He communicated to me its urgency! Caritas Christi urget nos ! My specific Eucharistic-Priestly-Liturgical mission is indeed a powerful irradiation of that Alberionian slogan “At the Center is Jesus Christ Way, Truth and Life”.
February 27, 2003
