The memory of Saint Ella is celebrated on February 1st. Ella, whose maiden name is Fitzpatrick, is the wife of William Longespée, himself the brother of the Prince of England Richard the Lionheart. William, Ella's husband, was not a model of virtue: he was unfaithful and adulterous.

In spite of her husband's weaknesses, Ella was not discouraged, she still hoped that William would eventually change and be able to conform to the precepts of the Gospel. With patience, this happened when William returned from the Third Crusade to liberate the Holy Land. His ship was caught in a terrible storm, and it was then that he saw his wife help him and rescue him. He converted, implored his wife's forgiveness, and lived virtuously.

When William died, Ella founded an abbey, with the help of St. Edmund, in Laycock to accommodate women who followed the rules of life of St. Augustine and she was the first abbess. Ella died in 1261 in Laycock.

 

Message from the Bishops at the end of the Pilgrimage

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, You who have come in such large numbers to take part in this national pilgrimage, as well as all of you who are following it from home through the media. We, the bishops of Madagascar, would like to express our deep gratitude to you for having responded to our invitation and for having brought this jubilee initiated by Pope Francis to life spiritually. With you, we take up Mary's song: ‘My soul exalts the Lord’ and we repeat with her: ‘What shall I repay the Lord for all the good he has done me?’....

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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