A Tribute to St. Gaspar Bertoni - Stigmatine Charism

Rev. Joseph Henchey, CSS

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Stigmatine Charism

Introduction

A Charism for a religious community is usually understood as that special grace, and way of life and service of the Church – lived by the Founder/Foundress and early members, and eventually codified in a booklet of Constitutions. For Fr. Bertoni, this was abandonment to the Trinity and Apostolic Availability to the Church. This is daily nourished by receiving the Eucharist, pondering Sacred Scripture, and the Stigmatine Devotions: the Sacred Stigmata of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spouses, Mary and Joseph.

The Stigmatine Seal

The history of the origin and the meaning of the Stigmatine ‘Seal’ [or, ‘Coat of Arms’] - can be found in the 1923 issue of the BERTONIANO, a review reserved for Stigmatines.Fr. John B. Zaupa was elected to the first of his three terms as Fr. General the year before. He authorized a Professor Joseph Trecca of Verona, who provided the first rendition of it. He was an expert in Italian heraldry – and his work was then modified somewhat by Professor Charles Someda de Marco.

The upper blue background for the stars signifies Faith. The five stars in the form of a Cross represent the Five Wounds, or the Sacred Stigmata, of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The red background behind the lilies represents Charity. The two lilies, united by the Motto, Euntes docete! [Go forth and teach! – Mt 28:19] represent the Holy Spouses, our Patrons, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph. The silver band, embellished then with the palm branches uniting the upper and lower halves stands for the Peace and Harmony meant to be lived and shared apostolically by the Confreres.

Further works

Further works about the Stigmatine Charism may be found in this website, under Life & Spirituality of our Founder, St. Gaspar Bertoni.