On August 22,
1951, the Basilica of the Annunciation in Florence, Italy, was the scene of an
historical gift to the Church. Eighteen young women, enthusiastic members of
the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate, consecrated themselves to Mary:
the first “Oblate Sisters.” Later, they would profess vows. And their name
would change as well: Cooperatrici Oblate
Missionarie dell Immacolata – COMI [Oblate
Missionary Cooperators of the Immaculate].
They consider
Fr. Gaetano LIUZZO (1911-2003) their “founding father.” It was his idea to give
to young women who were working with the Oblates the possibility of living to
the full the same spirituality and of sharing, as lay women, the Oblate
charism.
Fr. Nicola PARRETTA, Provincial of Italy, and Andreina Gambardella, President of the Institute
There are some
important dates in the COMI history: 1963 – the approval of their statutes as a
Pious Union; 1987 – approval of their Constitutions by the diocese of Roma and
their becoming a Secular Institute with a missionary goal; 2001 – the Decree of
Pontifical Approbation.
There was
recently celebration of the founding of the COMI. It included various
presentations, a prayer vigil, and a morning of giving witness. Fr. Fabio
CIARDI presented his book on Fr. Liuzzo. The celebration culminated with a
festive Eucharist presided by the Oblate Vicar General, Fr. Paolo ARCHIATI, and
concelebrated by about twenty Oblates.
The COMI have
worked with the Oblates in Italy and other countries. Today, they have missions
in Uruguay and Congo.
