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«When I was born, a boy after eight girls, my father appeared at
the door and shouted loudly, “A boy is born!” It is easy to understand
the joy and hope, how many plans for his farm and his home! A
male at last! Two strong arms, the last name carried forward... [My
parents] always said yes to our preference, because they always saw
in it the will of God, confident that they would not lose us and that
He would take care of them» . (Father Sebastian, the only male child
32
and who responded to the religious vocation)

«The Lord has done this: it is a wonderful thing even in our
EVERYDAY LIFE OF THE BERNARDINI FAMILY
eyes. We have done nothing but given them a good example and
allowed them to be free» . (Domenica)
33
It was March 26, 1955. The family got together for the first
time and upon leaving, the youngest daughter asked her mother to
write a letter to each of the children. There was no time to write to
each one, and Domenica wrote only one letter:
«The joy is so immense that words cannot express it. I infinitely
thank the good Jesus for so much grace in giving me eight vocations!
[...]. This very grace, O Jesus, I also ask you for all my dear children,
that they may all become saints and save many souls. To this end
I have always offered to the Lord my sorrows, my sacrifices, my
prayers [...] Every day I ask Him to preserve all my children from
every danger of their soul and body» .
34

ideas For reFlection

• Let us formulate a prayer together that our children may
discover their own vocation; may the Lord guide them in their lives
and preserve them from danger.

32 Romeo Panciroli, La roccia che disseta il deserto, op. cit., p. 101.
33 Ivi, p. 104.
34 Cf. Ivi, p. 157.