Like in past years, the Salesian Community of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Victoria celebrated the feast of Mary Help of Christians on 24 May. Flowers decked the altar in the little chapel packed with children, parents, past pupils, co-operators and others who regularly attend Mass at the sisters’ chapel. The organ played festive hymns accompanied by the voices opf the congregation, young and old. All this might seem normal to those reading this, but for all those who were gathered, there was a presence missing that stirred mixed emotions in hearts and brought tears to most eyes.

Ms Bondí was not in her usual place.

The flower arrangements adorning the altar were not as usual the fruit of her ingenious hands. It was the first time for many years that Olimpia did not join the Salesian community in Gozo to celebrate the feast of Mary Help of Christians, under whose protection Don Bosco left his congregation. She was not there for the little ones for whom she always had a gentle word as they left the chapel. However, she must surely have been celebrating this devotion from a place nearer to the Mother she loved so dearly, and whose name she uttered as she drew her last breath – Maria Auxilium Christianorum!

“Maria Olimpia Bondí had no family of her own. No husband, no children, no brothers or sisters. However, she managed to attract a numerous congregation that packed the Gozo Cathedral at her funeral,” Mgr Rosario Borg noted during his sermon at the funeral service celebrated by the Archpriest Mgr Joseph Attard, as well as numerous priests among whom were representatives of the Salesians of Don Bosco.

And this indeed was witness to the selfless generosity of this gentle but determined lady who lived her faith and renounced her worldly possessions for the benefit of her neighbours.

It was through Ms Bondí’s generosity that the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians established their convent and oratory in Victoria, from where they have been teaching Christian Doctrine for over 40 years. It was through her generosity that so many Gozitan pupils could receive their primary education in a Salesian environment at Laura Vicuna School in Ghasri. It is through her generosity that the Salesian Community in Gozo will be able to continue with their mission on our island. Indeed, this mission and all those who attended catechism classes or school at the sisters, will continue to be living testimony of her faith and fortitude.

Ms Bondí is no longer with us in body but she will be with us forever in spirit. Past and present pupils will always remember her quiet demeanour, her gentle words and most of all her kind generous heart. She will be so sadly missed by all the sisters who were her family.

May our Lord grant her eternal rest.

Miriam Muscat

Secretary - Past Pupils of

Mary Help of Christians, Gozo