First and foremost, I would like to thank, on behalf of The Work of The Church, His Grace, Mons. Cesare Nosiglia, for having come, moving some pastoral commitments, in order to preside over the Funeral of Mother Trinidad, and I am grateful as well for the presence of the other Bishops. We are witnesses of how much and in what way Mother Trinidad did love the Successors of the Apostles, seeing in them the face of Jesus and His presence..

Thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart; in this moment, the presence of you all is for us all of great comfort and rest, feeling we are Church, united to the Pope and to the Bishops represented in you. We know that many Bishops in the world, belonging to The Work of The Church and deeply bound to Mother Trinidad, have not been able to come due to the current sanitary situation we are living; to them we extend our most heartfelt gratitude for all of their testimonies by letters, phone calls, flowers that have made us feel their affection.

The life of Mother Trinidad has always been marked by the cross: “I find you in all places until I reach Heaven,” she wrote in one of her poems; pains and loneliness of the soul, but also of the body.

I would like to now give thanks to all of those ‒doctors, nurses, health personnel‒ who have helped Mother Trinidad in her many illnesses. Jesus said that “Whoever helps a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward” (Cfr. Mt 10:41). God alone, who sees everything, knows how much effort, professionality and love has been shown and displayed by every one of you to cure, or at least alleviate, the illnesses and pains of Mother Trinidad. He who is infinitely generous will reward you all accordingly

Many thanks to the members of The Work of the Church who throughout the years have helped Mother Trinidad more closely, accompanying her in her illnesses and sufferings, and helping her directly in her mission.

Beloved brothers and sisters of The Work of the Church, today we all deeply feel the hope for Eternity and at the same time a feeling of orphanhood. Mother, in the life of The Work of the Church, was everything, and she must continue being so, although in a different manner

We have received a magnificent inheritance; like the Psalm we say: “Pleasant places were measured out for me; fair to me indeed is my inheritance.” (Ps 15: 6). It is our duty now to live it in all its depth, to incarnate it. Allow me to say this in the words of an Archbishop who has written us:

«Mother Trinidad’s existence was a constant search for life, a sowing of love, and above all she yearned for Eternity. Today she is before God, she has now satisfied that hunger for Eternity, and it is up to all of us, it is up to all of you, Priests, Consecrated men and women, to keep like a great treasure all of her legacy, her works, actions, and words. It is a legacy that you must deliver to the Church, and you must pledge to continue building up the great Work of the Church.»

A new phase begins in the history of The Work of the Church, we have lost her physical presence, but –as we know– her spirit will always be present to accompany us.

We ask the Lord that just as today we accompany Mother Trinidad in her flight towards Heaven, one day, –“tomorrow, no later;” because Eternity is tomorrow– we will reunite with her in the joy of the Divine Family, giving –let us all say together with Mother–:

Glory to the Father, Glory to the Son and Glory to the Holy Spirit “thus and here on earth as it is in Heaven.” The rest does not matter… it does not count… it is non-transcendent…!

 

Rome, Basilica of St. Paul Outside The Walls, August 1st, 2021