Pope Leo XIV appointed Mother Chiara Cazzuola, Superior General of the Institute of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, as a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on June 24.
Mother Chiara, the 10th Successor of Saint Maria Domenica Mazzarello, was born in Campiglia Marittima–Livorno, Italy, in 1955. She professed her religious vows at the FMA Institute in Castelgandolfo (Rome) on August 5, 1975.
A graduate in literary subjects, she spent many years as a teacher and school principal. She later served as Community Animator and Inspectorial Councilor.
Following the 2001 unification of the Emilia, Liguria, and Tuscany Inspectorates, she was appointed Inspectorial Councilor for Formation, promoting communion and spirituality with a spirit of simplicity and depth. In 2007, she became Inspector of the Emilia-Liguria-Tuscany Inspectorate Madonna del Cenacolo (ILS), based in La Spezia.
She was elected Visiting Councilor at the General Chapter XXII in 2008 and traveled to several inspectorates in Europe and the Americas. In 2014, Mother Yvonne Reungoat named her Regulator of General Chapter XXIII, during which she was elected Vicar General. a
In 2019, she again served as regulator for General Chapter XXIV, where she was elected Mother General on October 5, 2021.
Alongside Mother Chiara, Pope Leo XIV appointed several prominent Church leaders to the Dicastery, including Cardinals Arthur Roche, Cristóbal López Romero, Giorgio Marengo, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Jaime Spengler. Also appointed were bishops, religious superiors, and leaders from various religious congregations around the world.
The Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life is responsible for promoting, guiding, and regulating the lives and activities of all consecrated life and apostolic societies within the Latin Church.
It ensures that each institute remains faithful to its founding charism and contributes effectively to the mission of the Church.
In response to the appointment, Mother Chiara said, “I hope to be up to the mission that the Church asks of me. I will do it with all my heart on behalf of the institute, and I thank them for the trust received.”
The Institute of the Daughters of Mary helped Christians rejoice in the news and extended prayers and well wishes to Mother Chiara.
Her appointment came on the 74th anniversary of the canonization of Saint Maria Domenica Mazzarello (June 24, 1951) and the feast of Saint John Bosco, adding special spiritual meaning to the occasion.
As she embarks on this new mission, may Mary Help of Christians guide and sustain her with maternal tenderness.
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