The Mother House of the Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation in Tortosa hosted on June 14 the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the final Passover of Saint María Rosa Molas, foundress of the Congregation. The Eucharist, presided over by the Bishop of Tortosa, Mons. Sergi Gordo, brought together sisters, lay people, priests and civil authorities in a day of thanksgiving that highlighted the vitality of the Consolation charism and its evangelizing presence across four continents.
The church of the Mother House of the Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation hosted an emotional celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the final Passover of Saint María Rosa Molas. In the place where the charism was born and continues to illuminate the life of the Church and the world, sisters, priests, lay people, young people and friends of the Consolation Family gathered to give thanks for the legacy of the foundress and renew their commitment to being consolation in the midst of the world.
The Eucharist, celebrated at noon, was presided over by Mons. Sergi Gordo, Bishop of Tortosa, together with several priests of the diocese linked to the Institute. Among those present were Sister Loreto Navarrete, Superior General of the Congregation, members of her General Council, the superiors of the different demarcations, sisters from the four continents where the Consolation mission is present, and a large number of lay members of the Consolation Family. Civil authorities from Tortosa also joined the celebration, reflecting the close relationship between the city and the Congregation since its beginnings.
The celebration began by recalling that the Mother House is the place where a charism was born that, 150 years after the death of María Rosa Molas, remains alive and fruitful in the Church. Within the context of the Charismatic Year, the assembly wished to live this commemoration as a time of grateful remembrance, renewal and commitment to the mission received.
One of the most meaningful moments took place during the entrance procession. Sisters from different countries carried lighted candles representing each of the places where the Congregation is present. This gesture symbolized the light that the Holy Spirit kindled in María Rosa Molas and that continues to shine today through communities, ministries and projects throughout the world, making visible the communion of a charismatic family that transcends borders, cultures and languages.
In his homily, Mons. Sergi Gordo highlighted the call to live the motto “Consoled to Console.” He recalled that Saint María Rosa Molas was able to bring consolation to others because she had first experienced God's own consolation. “We too are called to be consolation, but we can only do so authentically if we ourselves have experienced being consoled by God,” he said.
He also encouraged everyone present to promote a true culture of encounter, echoing the recent invitation of Pope Leo XIV to foster spaces of welcome, dialogue and fraternity. Rather than division and exclusion, he urged the faithful to build bridges and create opportunities for encounter that make the Gospel visible in today’s society.
The offertory symbolically expressed the past, present and future of the Consolation charism. A clay lamp recalled the life of self-giving lived by Saint María Rosa Molas and by the many sisters and lay people who have kept the flame of Consolation alive throughout history. On a world map were placed the different human and apostolic realities where the Congregation is present today: children, young people, the elderly, the sick, migrants and displaced persons, women, prisoners, and many other faces calling for closeness, listening and hope.
The footprints collected during this Charismatic Year and placed beside the tomb of the Mother were also presented. They symbolized the commitments of those who wish to continue building the future inspired by the spirit and mission of María Rosa Molas. Finally, the bread and wine expressed the offering of the entire Consolation Family, called to break and share their lives in service to others.
The celebration concluded with a heartfelt thanksgiving for the life and legacy of Saint María Rosa Molas, as well as for the many sisters and lay people who, over these 150 years, have kept the flame of Consolation alive by bringing God’s tenderness wherever suffering, need or loneliness are found. Special emphasis was placed on the communion of the Consolation Family, united across the four continents in one mission and one charism.
The final prayer also remembered the peoples who today suffer from war, violence and injustice, renewing the commitment to work for peace and fraternity. As a sign of this missionary sending forth, participants lit their candles while singing the hymn of the Charismatic Year, expressing their desire to go forth with hearts set ablaze.
At the conclusion of the Eucharist, Mons. Sergi Gordo blessed a commemorative plaque installed in the cloister of the Mother House as a lasting reminder of this 150th anniversary of the final Passover of Saint María Rosa Molas. Afterwards, sisters, lay people, priests and guests shared a fraternal agape meal in the courtyard of the Mother House, extending the atmosphere of thanksgiving, joy and fraternity experienced throughout the celebration.
In this way, the Consolation Family renewed its commitment to continue being light, hope and consolation in the world, carrying forward the mission that Saint María Rosa Molas began in Tortosa and that today remains alive across four continents through simple gestures of closeness, service and love.
PHOTOS | EUCHARIST AND BLESSING OF THE COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE OF THE CHARISMATIC YEAR · JUNE 14, 2026