ROME: OUR LADY OF CONSOLATA FEAST
Father Hermann Crespi, a missionary, left an indelible mark on the history of Italian immigration to Montreal. Ask any Italian who immigrated during the 1960s, 70s, or 80s, and they will know him. He belonged to the Institute of the Consolata Missionaries; a religious community founded by Giuseppe Allamano. According to Allamano himself, however, the true founder of the congregation was not him, but the Virgin Mary, venerated and honored as
Our Lady of Consolata. She profoundly shaped the lives of the
Consolata Missionaries, who are humble, generous, and close to the people.
To honor Our Lady of Consolata, the Consolata Missionaries and their
friends and acquaintances gather every June 20 for Mass and a fraternal
lunch or supper. On June 20, 2026, a solemn celebration took place in
Rome. The community of the International Theological Seminary of the
Consolata Institute hosted the event. Friends, laypeople, and Consolata
Missionaries from the General House, the Theological Seminary in Rome,
and another house of formation in the city attended. In this spirit of
communion, Canada was represented by Father Jean-Marie Kabesa Bilwala, Episcopal Vicar for Central Montreal.
In writing this article, I wish to highlight that St. Joseph Allamano’s view of Our Lady of Consolation was rooted in two fundamental beliefs. First, Our Lady of Consolation is the true founder of his institutes. Second, she is the supreme model of holiness. His words and teachings focus on a few key points:
1. The True Founder: Allamano believed that the Blessed Virgin Mary
conceived the institute and supported it materially and spiritually over the
years. He described himself as merely an instrument placed there by God.
2. Filial Affection: He addressed her affectionately as Dear Mother. He loved telling his missionaries and religious sisters, Yes, we are children of this most tender Mother, who watches over us as the apple of her eye.
3. The necessity of devotion: He believed that no one becomes a saint without devotion to Our Lady. To him, Our Lady of Consolation was the privileged path to Jesus.
4. A Way of Life: He saw Mary of Consolation as a model of goodness lived
to perfection in ordinary things, without fanfare: a humble, quiet, and active way of life that he established as the spiritual foundation of the missions.
In a joyful atmosphere, we participated in a Mass celebrated by one of the
general councilors and concelebrated by numerous priests. Followed by a
convivial meal featuring extravagant flavors. “VIVA CONSOLATA!”
Sent to Catholic News World by Father Jean-Marie Kabesa Bilwala,
Episcopal Vicar of the pastoral region of Centre
Archdiocese of Montreal
conceived the institute and supported it materially and spiritually over the
years. He described himself as merely an instrument placed there by God.
2. Filial Affection: He addressed her affectionately as Dear Mother. He loved telling his missionaries and religious sisters, Yes, we are children of this most tender Mother, who watches over us as the apple of her eye.
3. The necessity of devotion: He believed that no one becomes a saint without devotion to Our Lady. To him, Our Lady of Consolation was the privileged path to Jesus.
4. A Way of Life: He saw Mary of Consolation as a model of goodness lived
to perfection in ordinary things, without fanfare: a humble, quiet, and active way of life that he established as the spiritual foundation of the missions.
In a joyful atmosphere, we participated in a Mass celebrated by one of the
general councilors and concelebrated by numerous priests. Followed by a
convivial meal featuring extravagant flavors. “VIVA CONSOLATA!”
Sent to Catholic News World by Father Jean-Marie Kabesa Bilwala,
Episcopal Vicar of the pastoral region of Centre
Archdiocese of Montreal
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