19 January 1967
“The work is hard, arduous but the reward that God one day will give us will be great according to the work achieved.”
‘Diary’ by Maria (‘Domitilla’) Rota (Unpublished): 19 January 1967.
As you may be aware, South African and international supporters of LITTLE EDEN visited Italy on 14, 15 and 16 September 2018 in celebration of the life of the late founders of the Society – Danny and Domitilla Hyams – and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the birth of Domitilla Rota Hyams. Domitilla was born in Almenno San Bartolomeo in 1918.
Representing LITTLE EDEN were the Honorary Lifetime President, Lucy Slaviero and CEO, Xelda Rohrbeck, while a number of the founders’ family members (some of whom work at LITTLE EDEN) attended in their personal capacity. Mr Doug Boake, Chairman of our Board of Governors, also attended the celebrations, accompanied by his wife Lyn.
This special visit commenced with a celebration of Holy Mass followed by a presentation of an article called, “The essence of the message of Love of Domitilla and Danny,” by Claudio Salvetti.
On Saturday 15 September, representatives attended the second annual Danny & Domitilla Memorial Lecture at Domitilla’s town of birth, Bergamo in Italy. The memorial lecture was presented by His Grace Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI. The theme of the lecture was the life journey of the founders. His Grace spoke extensively about Domitilla’s deep faith, which shaped and prepared her for the work she was to start in South Africa, and the supporting role that her husband, Danny, played in her life.
In his conclusion, The Most Reverend Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI shared with the audience that the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference approved the investigation into the cause of Danny and Domitilla Hyams as a couple for sainthood. His Grace received the Libellus on Domitilla Maria Rota Hyams which he will publish accordingly. Upon review, and if approved, he will submit his letter to the Vatican seeking the ‘nihil obstat’ ruling before proceeding with the next step, this being the diocesan inquiry. A ‘nihil obstat’ ruling indicates that there are no objections from the ecclesiastical authorities (Congregation for the Causes of Saints) with regards to the continuation of this process.
Pictured above: His Grace Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI, delivers the memorial lecture.
Click here for more photos of the event.
Watch the video of the lecture. (Please note the video is about two hours long and some presentations were conducted in Italian)