Woman of the Annunciation

Sister M. Annunziata Stanizzi 

Clorinda Stanizzi was born on the 13^{th of} May 1915 at Andali (Catanzaro) in the province of Calabria, Italy. Clorinda came from a large family which was deeply rooted in the faith. At the tender age of thirteen Clorinda was faced with a great trial: her beloved mother passed into eternal life. She was very close to her loving and affectionate mum and her death brought Clorinda much pain and sorrow. Indeed, this spirit of sacrifice and self-giving would be a hallmark throughout her whole life.

On the 6^{th of} March 1936, Clorinda at the age of 21, entered the Congregation of the Sister Disciples of the Divine Master at Alba, Italy. She was part of the first official and autonomous novitiate of the Sister Disciples which commenced on the 26^{th of} February 1939.

Her novice mistress was Mother M. Lucia Ricci. Father Timothy Giaccardo was assigned by Fr Alberione to be the Spiritual Director and guide of this group of novices. On the feast of the Annunciation to Mary, 25^th March 1940, Clorinda made her first Religious Profession and was given the name of Sr. M. Annunziata. Then in 1946 on the same date, she made her Final Profession. This was a very turbulent and difficult period in the history of the Congregation. The process of obtaining the approval from the Holy See for its autonomy and the separation from the Daughters of St Paul was proving to be very challenging.

After her Religious Profession Sr. M. Annunziata, with much dedication, was destined to serve in various ministries in Turin, Milan and Bordighera. In 1956 she was called to leave her country and her familiar surroundings and travel to Australia to establish the congregation in this far away land. Sr. Annunciata knew very little about this new land and willingly accepted to obey with faith. She was happy to have been chosen to be a missionary and to become the first pioneer for this new foundation.

Sr. Annunziata and Sr. M. Laurentina Bertero left from Naples and boarded a ship destined for Australia. The voyage would take over one month.  During the trip the two sisters did not remain idle but set about, together with the ship’s chaplain, to prepare a group of children for the sacrament of the Eucharist.

On their arrival in Sydney, they were welcomed by Fr. Jerome SSP and two Daughters of St. Paul.  The Society of St. Paul’s house was at Homebush. The two sisters were given a small room to live in. It had very little furniture and no heating. However, the sisters were happy to begin their mission in Australia in a spirit of poverty. The Founder, Father James Alberione would exhort the first Pauline missionaries to: “Always begin from Bethlehem”

Sr Annunziata and Sr Laurentina spent their days busily taking care of the priests and brothers of the Society of St Paul. They always remained faithful in carrying out their main apostolate, the Eucharistic Adoration. They truly believed that every light, grace, consolation and blessing come from the Eucharist. 

Initially, they felt very isolated in this far away land. They looked forward to receiving news from their homeland but letters in those days would take ages to arrive.

Shortly after their arrival, Sr Annunziata was faced with another trial.  Sr Laurentina began to feel quite sick. It was discovered that the cause of her illness was due to her being allergic to the Australian climate. After trying various medications and treatments, Sister Laurentina’s health was not improving. There was no other alternative than to let Sister Laurentina return to Italy. Sr Annunciata continued doing most of the work by herself.

After a short period, another sister arrived. She came from Japan and was sent to help in the new mission. Sr. M. Ilaria Oyama spoke only Japanese and in order to be able to communicate with each other, they had to devise a kind of sign language.  Soon other sisters came from different countries. They began to arrive from overseas and in 1962 there were five pioneer sisters.

The time had now come for them to start looking for a suitable house which they found at Homebush, close to the Society of St. Paul. However, they had no money to pay for With much faith and courage, Mother Annunziata applied for a bank loan. The sisters prayed and placed their trust in the Lord’s divine providence. Amazingly, they were able to obtain the bank loan despite not having any savings or even a guarantor.  Every month they were able to repay the exact amount of money needed to pay off the loan. Mother would always remind the sisters, “If you observe poverty well, God will always provide for all our needs. Believe me I have seen miracles.”

That same year, the small community had the joy of welcoming the Founder, Father James Alberione who came from Rome to visit the Paulines in Australia. He urged Mother Annunciata to look for a larger house to expand the apostolate and welcome new vocations. The present Divine Master house in Strathfield is the one they found!

Mother Annunziata was a wise woman and an inspirational leader. She promoted and sustained the community in the charism of the Founder. She imparted the values of the Congregation to the sisters. Following the example of Jesus, she accompanied and led the sisters with love, vision, energy, and courage. She knew how to encourage and affirm the sisters and the young women who were joining.  She had the gift of being able to create a warm and joyful atmosphere in the community and forge lasting bonds of friendship with the sisters whom she deeply loved.

The missionary spirit was very much in Mother Annunciata’s DNA!  When the number of sisters increased, Mother sent sisters to begin new foundations and new apostolic initiatives in Melbourne, New Zealand and Samoa. “The spirit of your Congregation is beautiful. You need to extend and expand, so that many may benefit from your life, spirit, and service.” (APD 1956)

Mother Annunziata died in 2008. From heaven she continues to accompany and guide the sisters of the Australian Delegation. She is now praying and interceding for them and for new vocations. We are indeed blessed to have such a model of holiness and missionary apostolic zeal to inspire us as we move forward in synodality, in living out the vocation, charism and mission of the Disciples of the Divine Master with enthusiasm and creative fidelity.