The president of the Associazione Domitilla Rota Hyams, Sig Giuliano Rota Martir, expressed grateful thanks to His Eminence, Wilfrid Cardinal Napier O.F.M., his companions, LITTLE EDEN Society representatives and friends for accepting the invitation to attend the two special events that took place on 4 & 6 May 2014 in Italy. Cardinal Napier concelebrated a Solemn Mass at Santuario Della Madonna Della Cornabusa on 4 May and on 6 May the Cardinal addressed members of religious orders, the academia, politicians, council members and citizens of Bergamo at Magna Hall at l’Università di Bergamo about South Africa’s celebration of 20 years of democracy, his recollections of the events leading up to the first democratic elections in South Africa; and the new government formed by the late former President Nelson Mandela. The Cardinal reflected on the impact and influence the church had on bringing the two opposing parties together during the Apartheid era. He remembers that people were segregated by race and the negative impact it had on the country and the world. His Eminence expressed his wish that the 2014 elections go off successfully and that things will turn out for the best as there are still challenges with corruption.

In February 2014, a research team from the University of Bergamo spent a month at the two homes of LITTLE EDEN Society (Domitilla and Danny Hyams Home and Elvira Rota Village) in Johannesburg as part of the University’s Excellence Traineeship Project aimed at widening and spreading the horizons of the message of love of Domitilla and Danny (founders of LITTLE EDEN Society).

On Tuesday 6 May 2014, during a presentation of the results of the research at l’Università di Bergamo, the Cardinal said, “It is because I believe that God’s hand is firmly in control that I have agreed to undertake this visit to Bergamo. My hope and prayer is that God will continue to inspire, bless and commission the next generation to sustain and develop this wonderful work even further.” The Most Reverend Bishop Graham Rose who travelled with the Cardinal to Italy said, “Danny and Domitilla were a perfect combination.” He continued to say “I have great admiration for Danny because to live with a Saint, you have to be a Saint.”

For more information about LITTLE EDEN Society and Associazione Domitilla Rota Hyams kindly contact Nichollette Muthige info@littleeden.org.za or 0116097246.