ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
TO THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF SUPERIORS GENERAL

Saturday, 26 November 2022

I am pleased to welcome you all, members of the Union of Superiors General, and the Archbishop, Secretary of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. I thank Fr Arturo Sosa for his kind words.

In your Assembly, based on the Encyclical, Fratelli Tutti, you addressed the theme, Called to be artisans of peace. It is an urgent appeal that concerns everyone, particularly consecrated people: to be artisans of peace, of that peace the Lord has given us and which makes us feel like we are all brothers and sisters: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (Jn 14:27).

What is the peace that Jesus gives us, and what sets it apart from that which the world gives? In these times, hearing the word “peace” makes us think especially about a situation of no war or of an end to war, a state of tranquillity and well-being. This — we know — does not fully correspond to the meaning of the Hebrew word shalom, which has a richer meaning in the biblical context.

The peace of Jesus is first of all his gift, the fruit of charity. It is never a human conquest; and starting from this gift, it is the harmonic ensemble of one’s relationships, with God, with oneself, with others and with creation. Peace is also the experience of mercy, of God’s forgiveness and benevolence, which in turn gives us the ability to show mercy, forgiveness, rejecting every form of violence and oppression. This is why God’s peace as a gift is inseparable from being builders and witnesses of peace. As Fratelli Tutti says, “peacemakers, men and women prepared to work boldly and creatively to initiate processes of healing and renewed encounter” (no. 225).

As Saint Paul reminds us, Jesus broke down the dividing wall of hostility among people, reconciling them to God (cf. Eph 2: 14-16). Such reconciliation defines the ways of being “peacemakers” (Mt 5:9) because, as we said, it is not simply an absence of war or a balance of power between enemies (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 78). Rather, it is based on recognition of the dignity of the human person, and requires an order to which justice, mercy and truth inseparably contribute (cf. Fratelli Tutti, 227).

“Making peace” is therefore artisanal labour, to be carried out with passion, patience, experience, tenacity, because it is a process that endures through time (cf. ibid., 226). Peace is not an industrial product but handcrafted. It is not made mechanically. It requires man’s knowledgeable intervention. It is not mass-produced using only technological development. Rather, it requires human development. This is why peace processes must not be delegated to diplomats or armies: peace is the responsibility of each and every person.

“Blessed are the peacemakers” (Mt 5:9). Blessed are we, consecrated men and women, if we strive to sow peace with our daily actions, with attitudes and gestures of service, fraternity, dialogue, mercy; and if, in prayer, we unceasingly ask Jesus Christ, “our peace”, (Eph 2:14) for the gift of peace. Thus, consecrated life can become a prophecy of this gift, if consecrated men and women learn to be its artisans, starting from their own community, building bridges and not walls within their community and outside of it. There is peace in the community when each person contributes by charitably doing his or her duty. The world needs us, consecrated men and women, also as artisans of peace!

This reflection on peace, brothers and sisters, brings me to consider another aspect that is characteristic of consecrated life: synodality, this process into which we are called to enter as members of the holy People of God. As consecrated people, then, we are called in a particular way to participate in it, since consecrated life is synodal by nature. It also contains many structures that can foster synodality: I am thinking about the chapters — general, provincial or regional and local — the fraternal and canonical visits, the assemblies, the commissions and other structures that are specific to each institute.

I thank those who have offered and are offering their contribution to this journey, at various levels and in different areas of participation. Thank you for making your voice as consecrated people heard. But, as we well know, having synodal structures is not enough. We need to “revisit them”, asking ourselves first of all: how are these structures prepared and utilised?

In this context, one must view and perhaps also re-examine the way of exercising the service of authority. Indeed, it is necessary to be alert to the danger that it could degenerate into authoritarian, sometimes despotic forms, with abuses of conscience or spiritual abuses that are also fertile ground for sexual abuses, because people and their rights are no longer respected. And furthermore, there is the risk that authority will be exercised as a privilege, for those who hold it or for those who support it, thus also as a form of complicity between the parties, so that everyone does what they want, thus paradoxically fostering a kind of anarchy, which does so much damage to the community.

I hope that the service of authority will always be exercised in a synodal style, respecting its own right and the mediations it provides, to prevent authoritarianism, privileges and a “leave it at that” attitude; fostering an atmosphere of listening, of respect for the other, of dialogue, participation and sharing. With their witness, consecrated people can contribute greatly to the Church in this process of synodality we are living. As long as you are the first to live it: to walk together, to listen to each other, to value the variety of gifts, to be a welcoming community.

From this perspective, suitability and aptitude assessment paths are also part of the process, so that a generational renewal of the leadership of institutes can take place in the best possible way. Without improvisations. In fact, understanding modern-day problems, often unprecedented and complex, requires adequate formation. Otherwise, one does not really know where to go and “plays it by ear”. Moreover, the reorganization or reconfiguration of an institute must always take place with the safeguarding of communion in mind, so as not to reduce everything to the amalgamation of circumscriptions, which may then prove difficult to manage or a cause for conflict. In this regard, it is important for superiors to be careful to avoid having some people who are not well occupied, because this not only harms them, but also generates tensions in the community.

Dear brothers and sisters, thank you for this encounter! I hope you will continue to carry out your service with serenity and fruitfulness, and that you will be artisans of peace. May Our Lady accompany you. I offer you my heartfelt blessing and I ask you, please, to pray for me.

BRAZIL – Rome ‘Magdalena’ – 28 October 2022

At the end of the jubilee year for the 100 years of Camillian presence in Brazil (1922-2022), a large group of Camillian Brothers, collaborators of Camillian works and members of the Lay Camillian Family, organised a pilgrimage to Italy, in the footsteps of St. Camillus (Bucchianico, San Giovanni Rotondo, Manfredonia/Valle dell’Inferno). The last stop was a visit to Rome: from the hospital San Giacomo agli Incurabili to the church of La Maddalena, passing through the Sistine Ward of the hospital S. Spirito in Sassia. The Superior General, Fr Pedro Tramontin, presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the end of their stay in Rome.

Camillini in Spain

The Spanish Camillian Province organised a meeting open to all the brothers of the Spanish community, in Tres Cantos – Madrid, from 28th October to 2nd November. In addition to information and refresher meetings, a course of spiritual exercises was also proposed, preached by Fr Eduardo Morante, a Camillian from the Vice-Province of Peru. Nineteen religious participated.

Camillians in Argentina

The brothers of the Brazilian province celebrate the first religious profession of novice ENZO HERNAN MAXIMILIANO VARGAS (22 January 2022).

Camillians in Thailand

On Saturday, 29 October 2022, the local bishop and several Camillian religious participated in the inauguration and blessing of a new 32-bed block for ‘low income’ elderly people at the RSA (Residenza Sanitaria Assitite) in Korat (Thialandia). It is an extension of the current house that already houses 130 elderly people. Present were the episcopal vicar Fr. Augustine Prempree, Fr. Paul Cherdchai, provincial superior of Thailand, several brethren, elderly residents and benefactors. Cost of the work: 380,000.00 euro!

The local bishop, His Excellency Msgr. Joseph Chusak, was busy in Bangkok for the Asian conference of bishops on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

‘SALUTE & SVILUPPO’ – CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC

Felice de Miranda, Director of ‘Health & Development’ together with Fr. Medard Abouè, General Consultor for the ministry and Ms. Mariella Fresu, collaborator of ‘Health & Development’ in November 2022 were in the Central African Republic. This country occupies one of the last places in the world ranking of poverty and is known for the incessant wars that have been bloodying it for several years.

They visited the brothers of the Camillian community in the village of Bossemptele (300 km from the capital Bangui), where for about ten years, four Camillians from the Benin-Togo Province have been providing health care to people in a field hospital and spiritual assistance in a small parish, in this remote area of the country where rebels are destabilising the already precarious civil coexistence.

The Camillians, through ‘Health & Development’, have been engaged for several years, through the various forms of international cooperation – Italian Episcopal Conference, Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs – in the accompaniment and support of the hospital and in the construction of a nursing school to offer qualified personnel to the country’s medical facilities. The school is strongly supported by the government, which recognises diplomas through the State University of Bangui.

ROME – ‘SANTA MARIA MADDALENA’

Feast of Mary ‘Salus Infirmorum’ – 16 November 2022

https://www.concuoredimadre.org/2022/11/festa-di-maria-salus-infirmorum.html 

Eucharistic Celebration presided over by His Most Reverend Eminence Card. Angelo De Donatis, Vicar General of H.H. for the Diocese of Rome, in the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Campo Marzio, General Curia of the Ministers of the Infirm. With the presence of the Superior General Rev. Father Pedro Tramontin, the General Consultation; the Provincial of the Roman Province, Camillian priests and Father Augusto Bussi Roncalini, parish priest of Santa Maria in Aquiro.

A brief summary of the Homily follows. His Eminence Card. De Donatis highlighted in three passages what had struck him most about the word of the feast’s gospel. (Lk 1:39-56)

The first: Mary’s journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth can be thought of as Jesus’ first missionary journey in Mary’s womb. Mary in the visitation wants to share good news before serving. 

The second: the first thing Mary does on entering the house of Ain Karem is to greet Elizabeth. In this greeting we can glimpse a hymn to life and joy. Zechariah is still mute while the women speak to each other, greet each other, sing.

And it is beautiful to note how Mary before being Our Lady of Health is Our Lady of greeting! And here the message is for us: before the pastoral care of health, we are called to recover the pastoral care of greeting, of attention, of closeness dear to St. Camillus by seeking to surround the most neglected and abandoned sick with humanity. Mary receives and carries in her womb the gift of the Spirit. The text tells us that as soon as Elizabeth received her, the Child she carried in her womb leapt.  This adverb as soon as is important: it tells us that people who carry God, like Mary, are immediately recognised! The Virgin Mary is always beside us, even here in the Magdalene Church where we venerate her with gratitude and affection through her image where the greeting becomes Health.

The Third Point. Mary’s response: her canticle! The soul exults, sweeps up in praise. This reminds us that between the lines of the Magnificat we all find ourselves with a God who loves us and looks at us in all the moments of our lives, good and bad in joy and trials. 

To conclude His Eminence recalled another Gospel page where Jesus is described in the house of Bethany: an image chosen as the icon of the second year of the synodal journey.  Just as Jesus, like Mary, set out on a journey, so the Church cannot stand still, it must be among the people, and so you too, the Ministers of the Infirm, must stand beside the sick, to help the whole Church to be a mother who heals. 

Today one has the feeling that the world has not grasped the lesson of the pandemic well: people are going back to living as before as if nothing had happened, whereas the lesson is this: return to the essentials. The Church must have the flavour of home, of the welcome of simplicity!  

To do this, we must, like Mary, like Elizabeth, like Mary of Bethany, place ourselves to listen to and welcome the Word of God. It is only by placing ourselves at the feet of the Master that we can live our ministry without the anxieties and agitations of Martha. The primacy then of prayer and union with the Lord ensures that we bear fruit.

Here, then, are the three summary words of this feast of Our Lady of Health: One road, one house, one ear. This is the message, so that our hearts may be ever more filled with God and overflowing with Him we may serve as St. Camillus said: with our hearts in our hands!

Thank you Don Angelo!

Community renewal of religious vows – 8 December 2022

Giving continuity to a venerated Camillian custom, also this year, on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the B.V.M. (8th December), also in the Camillian community of La Maddalena, during the Holy Mass, presided over by the Superior General, Fr. Pedro Tramontin, the brothers renewed their religious consecration, in front of the splendid 16th century wooden statue of Our Lady, which tradition has it is the same before which St Camillus also consecrated himself with religious vows to God, for the service of suffering humanity.

Camillians in Colombia

On 8 December and 2022, three young temporary professed Brayan Stiven Gallo, Alexander Perez Panqueva and Cleimer Orlando Wilchez Vargas made their solemn religious profession.

Camillians in Indonesia

On 8th December 2022, the whole Camillian community of Capriate san Gervasio (Bergamo) gathered with fraternal joy around the young Engelbertus Frederik Aristo Klau, on the day of his solemn religious profession. Engelbertus, a young professed from the Philippines Province – a delegation in Indonesia – has been completing his formation for over a year, with a community and ministry experience in Italy, among the brothers of the northern Italian Province.

On the same day, in Maumere, Flores Island, Indonesia, three other young Camillians, Andreas Yobe, Bonefonsius Boli Lolan, Dionisius Juang, made their solemn religious consecration.

Camillians in Taiwan

From 2 to 10 December 2022, Br Paul Kaborè and Fr Baby Ellickal, General Consultors of the Order, visited the Camillians in Taiwan. The Camillians in Taiwan celebrated the jubilee of 70 years of Camillian presence on the island of Formosa. The occasion was significant to recall the history of the Camillians, their service to the sick, the poor, the disabled in a cultural context different from the western one, but in which they have been able to fit in and be esteemed and appreciated. Particularly relevant is the work of training health workers, with a large and qualified school of nursing, attended by several thousand young people initiated into the specialised care of the sick.

letter of good wishes and appreciation signed by His Eminence Card. Piero Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State.

BY THE GENERAL COUNCIL

Canonical erection of new Camillian communities

1. The Superior General, having seen the request presented by Fr. Paul Cherdchai Lertjitlekha, Provincial Superior of the Thai Province, and Fr. John Toai, Delegate of Vietnam, has canonically erected the new Camillian community-home ‘Vi Hoang Community of Home for the Aged‘, located in Ho Chi Mihn City – Vietnam. It will be dedicated to Saints Hyacinth and Anne (grandparents of Jesus), as the Camillian work will be devoted to welcoming about a hundred elderly people living in poverty.

2. The Superior General, after supporting and accompanying the fruitful dialogue between Fr. Mateus Locatelli, Provincial Superior of Brazil, Br José Carlos Bermejo, Provincial Superior of Spain and the Vice-Provincial Superior of Peru, Fr. Alex Ballena Rios, has approved the canonical transfer of the Camillian house-community of Buenos Aires (Argentina) from the Province of Spain to the Province of Brazil. This is a first significant step towards a better and more functional synergy of human, professional and administrative resources between Camillian realities operating in the same region.

3. P. Pedro Celso TRAMONTIN, Superior General of the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm (Camillians), for the proper planning, analysis and verification of the Order’s economy, on November 21, 2022, appointed, for the three-year period 2022-2025, members of the Order’s Central Economic Commission, under the coordination of the General Bursar, Brother José Ignacio Santaolalla Saéz:

ENRIQUEZ p. RODEL R.

KOZIK Fr. Mario Luis

OUEDRAOGO Fr. Guy-Flavien

SANKIMA p. Martin

TRIBIOLI Dr Bruno – administrative assistant of the Roman province

VILLAR PERNAS Dr Emilio Servando – administrative assistant of the Spanish province

Thanking them for their generous availability, we wish them fruitful work for ever greater ‘vigilance and transparency in dealing with economic and financial issues‘.

4. P. Pedro Celso TRAMONTIN, Superior General of the Order of the Ministers of the Infirm (Camillians), in accordance with Statute Art. 12, on November 30, 2022, appointed members of the Board and the Director of the Camillian Disaster Service International Foundation (CADIS) for the three-year period 2022-2025:

ABOUÈ Fr. Medard – deputy director 

CANCINO Jr. Fr. Rodolfo Vincente

ECHEVARRIA SCHMIDT Sr. Haida 

ELARMO Sr. Liberty

ELLICKAL p. Baby

KABORE Br. Paul

LUNARDON Fr. Gianfranco

MUNENE p. Francis

SANTAMARIA REPISO Dr Consuelo

SANTAOLALLA SAEZ Br. José Ignacio – Chairman of the Board

5. On 16 January 2023, Fr Pedro Tramontin, Superior General, and the Consultors will meet the Order’s Major Superiors (Provincials, Vice Provincials, Delegates) via the Zoom platform, to exchange views on the situation of the Order’s communities and plan activities of common interest.

DECEASED CAMILLIAN BROTHERS

“Come, ye blessed of my Father! Receive your inheritance the kingdom that my Father has given you, prepared since the creation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you cured me; I was in prison and you visited me”. (Mt 25:34-36).

Fr. ALOIS MARIA JOSEF KUMMER (Austrian Province)

Kummer died on Saturday, 12 November 2022, at the age of 91, comforted by the sacraments of faith.

The funeral service will take place in the Ober St. Veit Cemetery, 1130 Vienna, Gemeindeberggasse 26, on Thursday, 1 December 2022 at 1 pm. Requiem Mass will be celebrated afterwards in the Klosterkirche, 1130 Vienna, Versorgungsheimstraße 72. Alois Kummer was born in Vienna on 22 May 1932. On 19 September 1946 he entered the Camillian seminary at the Hilariberg house in Kramsach in Tyrol, where he started his novitiate on 7 December 1949. On 8 December 1950 he made his temporary religious profession. After completing his philosophical-theological studies in the Camillian seminary in Hilariberg, he continued his theological studies in Münster/Westphalia in 1952. In 1953 Fr. Kummer made solemn religious profession and was ordained a priest in Vienna on 18 March 1956.

After his pastoral year in Losensteinleiten/Upper Austria, he was sent to the university hospital in Innsbruck as hospital chaplain. 

On 1 September 1960 he was appointed chaplain of the Vienna-Lainz retirement home.

In 1962 he was assigned pastoral care at the Theresienschlössl and Gersthofer-Klinik hospitals and in September 1963 at the Hietzing Clinic (formerly Lainz), where he worked until his retirement in 2007. At the same time, he was in charge of the Neurological Centre in Rosenhügel for more than 40 years.

From August 1977 to May 1986 he accompanied the Camillian community in Vienna as Superior.

Despite severe physical limitations in his later years, Fr Alois was always jovial, good-humoured and never lost his sense of humour. His personal character made him very empathetic with people, earning their trust. 

After a fulfilling life as a priest and as a Camillian, he returned to the Father’s house!

The Camillian Order is grateful to him for his service to the sick.

Fr. ELIAS JOSÈ ZAGO (Brazilian Province)

Elias José Zago, son of Mansueto Zago and Vilma Molom Zago, was born on 25 April 1952 in Videira – SC.  He was baptised on 25 April 1952 and confirmed on 28 October 1958. He entered the ‘São Camilo’ Seminary in Iomerê – SC, on 18 February 1966. On 26 January 1975 he began his novitiate; on 26 January 1976 he made his first religious profession. On 26 January 1979 he made his perpetual vows, in São Paulo – SP.

 His philosophical and theological studies took place in St. Paul’s. 

On 20 June 1982, he was ordained a deacon in Iomerê – SC, and on 19 December of the same year, he was ordained a priest in this city.  From then on, Fr Elias carried out various activities in different Camillian communities in Brazil, always closely linked to the parish area and hospital chaplaincy.

After ordination to the priesthood, he helped in formation in Monte Santo de Minas – MG from 1983 to 1992, where he was also Superior of the Community from 1986.  In 1992 he was transferred to Iomerê, where he remained until 2001. From 1992 to 1997 and from 2000 to 2001 he was Superior of Community and from 1992 to 2001 he was Parish Priest of the Parish ‘São Luiz Gonzaga’.  In 2001 he was transferred to Monte Santo de Minas, where he exercised his ministry from 2001 to 2012 as Parish Priest of the Parish ‘São Francisco de Paula’.  In 2013, he was transferred to the Community of Pinhais, as Chaplain of the ‘Erasto Gaertner’ Hospital. He was also Superior of this community from 2017 to 2019.

 At the end of 2021. Fr Elias was transferred to the Community of Iomerê.  However, due to the start of medical treatment, he remained in São Paulo, residing in the Community of Granja Viana in order to undergo specialist follow-up at the Brazilian Oncology Hospital. During 2022, he underwent chemotherapy treatment, spending some periods in the Community and others in the Hospital, according to the needs of his state of health. Elias passed away in the afternoon of 1 December 2022, at the ‘São Camilo’ hospital in Granja Viana.  On the same day, there was a short vigil and the celebration of Mass in the hospital chapel. Afterwards, his body was transferred to the Community of Rondinha, in Videira – SC.

The funeral Mass was celebrated on 3 December, followed by the burial, fulfilling his express wish.

ANTONIO BUSIELLO CAMILLIAN AND MISSIONARY

Fr. Antonio Busiello was born in Naples on 21 July 1937 to Giuseppe and Magnetta Concetta. On 7 September 1954 he began the canonical year of the novitiate at Aci Sant’Antonio, professing on 8 September 1955. On 11 October 1958 he made his perpetual profession. On 15 July 1962 he was ordained a priest by Cardinal Ascalesi in the chapel of the Principe di Piemonte Hospital (now Monaldi Hospital) in the presence of Prof. Vincenzo Monaldi.

Fr. Antonio himself recounted that his parish priest pushed him towards the diocesan seminary, a family friend with various arguments pushed him towards the Capuchin friars, but the encounter with the Camillian religious was decisive for him to the point that he felt ‘bewitched’ by the habit with the flaming Red Cross, but above all he felt attracted by their affectionate closeness to tuberculosis patients.  In fact, from a very young age Fr. Antonio had daily contact with the brother chaplains of the Monaldi Hospital because his father was an administrative officer of the hospital and as such lived with his family in some rooms inside the hospital. And then Fr. Antonio recalled that the Camillians organised many football matches, his great passion: ‘in the seminary we prayed a lot but we also played a lot of football because in those days, it was the only sport you could play’.

As soon as he was ordained a priest, he was immediately busy in various hospitals in southern Italy soothing the suffering of the sick and consolidating friendships with hospital staff. 

As a religious assistant, he carried out his ministry at the Leper colony of Gioia del Colle in Apulia, the Tomaselli Sanatorium in Catania, the Riuniti Hospital in Reggio Calabria, and the Cardarelli Hospital in Naples, where he obtained his diploma as a professional nurse. From 1966 to 1974 he was appointed deputy regional assistant of the UCI (Unione Cattolica Infermieri). 

Community bursar from 1971 to 1974 at the San Camillo Institute in San Giorgio a Cremano. 

On 12 June 1974, a very significant ministerial turning point took place: Fr Antonio left for the fledgling Camillian African mission in Dahomey, later the Republic of Benin, where together with other confreres he built and ran the hopital la Croix and the Camillian seminary. In the meantime he graduated in tropical medicine at the Prince Leopold University Institute of Antwerp in Belgium. 

In Benin, Fr Antonio lived for 27 years when he suffered a “beautiful” heart attack (as he liked to say) on Holy Thursday 2001. He returned to Italy destined for the provincial house in San Giorgio a Cremano where he took care of the Missions secretariat.

 In 2007, he was elected vice president of the NGO Health and Development.

Over the years, Fr Antonio’s health began to deteriorate with ups and downs, to the point that it was necessary in 2017 to transfer him first to the hospital community of Casoria, and in the following year to the Camillian community of Messina, where he received welcome and assistance with maternal and fraternal care from the brothers of the community and the hospital staff of the St Camillus clinic attached to the community.

About 20 days ago, a fall resulted in a fractured femur. After successfully passing the operation, Fr. Antonio was transferred to an orthopaedic clinic for rehabilitation.

On the morning of 6 January, the Epiphany of the Lord, suddenly, the Lord of mercy also manifested himself to him, taking him with him to receive the prize of the just. Antonio was a true son of St. Camillus, generous, dynamic, enterprising and capable of successfully carrying out the different realities that were entrusted to him. He had a great ability to involve the laity, by whom he was greatly appreciated for his joviality and operational concreteness. Of strong and passionate character, with the brothers he was ‘energetic’ with traits of despotism that he immediately managed to recompose, in his last days he would apologise and be moved by regretting past times, continuing the ordeal of despoliation to which he was subjected.

We are certain that his hard work in the Vineyard of the Lord exceeded the limits of human nature. Certainly St. Camillus must have welcomed and embraced him, proud of this son of his who cared for and consoled so many brothers, sisters and children in lands near and far.

DAUGHTERS OF SAINT CAMILLUS

The Sisters Daughters of St Camillus announce the death of Sr Avelina (Isabel) Vieira (born 4 July 1934 – deceased 26 October 2022). Brazilian by origin, she was 88 years old, of which 70 years of religious consecration to the service of the sick.

Official prayer to ask for the intercession of Blessed Luigi Tezza on the centenary of his death (1923/2023)

Lord God, Creator and Father, to you our gratitude for the life, vocation and holiness of Blessed Louis Tezza, whom we venerate on the centenary of his transit to heaven.

Help us to cherish and actualise the grateful memory of the testimony of faith: ‘all in God, all for God, all with God’.

Lord God, Redeemer Son, to you our gratitude for the passion for the Kingdom of God that burned in the soul and works of Blessed Louis.

Help us to discern and creatively imitate the witness of love: ‘prepared for charity to make ever more painful sacrifices, especially towards the sick poor’.

Lord God, Holy Spirit, to you our gratitude for the trusting abandonment that Blessed Louis nurtured daily in the work of your Providence.

Help us to live, even in the night of trial, the testimony of hope: ‘God knows what he does, and he does everything for good, let us be led by his ever-loving will’.

May he who touched bodies, with Samaritan compassion, to touch their souls, with motherly care, intercede with God, the gift of embodying the Gospel of mercy so that from our hearts and hands flows ‘generosity in every moment and in the smallest details of life’.

Well, omnia fecit!

Amen.