On Wednesday 28th September the inaugural meeting of The Blessed Gabriele Allegra Society took place.
Gabriele Allegra was a Franciscan Frian and Biblical scholar who is best known for accomplishing the first complete translations of the Catholic Bible into the Chinese language. It is in his name that each Boarding House nominated an International Prefect to be part of the newly formed Society at Downside. The aim of the Society is to support the international Committee to continue raising awareness of the rich cultural diversity of our School community by meeting every half term to share insights and experiences.
The prayer below is said in Italian, by Mrs Maistrello at the opening of each meeting:
Blessed Gabriel Maria, enlightened by the Holy Spirit
and in love with the Word of God made flesh and his Immaculate Mother,
you brought the Holy Gospel to the lands of the Far East.
Obtain for us a simple and pure faith from the Lord Jesus,
the ardent desire to feed on his word,
the courage to let ourselves be guided by it in every circumstance of life
and the strength to testify to it with words and deeds,
to enjoy eternally the blessedness promised to those
who listen to the word of God and put it into practice.
Amen.