On April 4th, together with the Universal Church, the Institute celebrated the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. The Solemnity of the Annunciation has a particular significance for the Institute, as it marked the thirty-second anniversary of its foundation by Fr. Carlos Miguel Buela in San Rafael, Argentina. (Technically the IVE was founded on March 25th, 1984, but because the 25th fell on Good Friday this year, the actual celebration of the solemnity was moved to April 4th.) This year commemorates not only the thirty-second anniversary of the order’s foundation, but also its twenty-seventh year in the United States.

The night before the Solemnity, the religious of both the Institute and the Servidoras gathered at the parish church of St. John Baptist de la Salle for Adoration, followed by Solemn Vespers. Shortly thereafter the religious shared a special dinner after which everyone returned to the church for Matins. A “Te Deum” and a special novena litany written by one of the priests of the IVE in Argentina were sung.

The next morning, Solemn Morning Prayer was sung, followed later in the day with the Mass. The Mass was celebrated by His Excellency John M. Quinn, Bishop of Winona

The day concluded with a celebratory feast at the seminary. The show that followed dinner featured songs performed by the religious from the various countries where the Religious Family has missions.

We give thanks to the Lord and the Blessed Mother for the many blessings our Institute has received over the last thirty-two years. Please pray to Our Lady that we continue to say “Yes” to the Lord in imitation of that blessed fiat that changed the world. Our Lady of the Incarnation, pray for us!