A fine ending in Bucchianico for the celebrations of the fourth centenary of the death of St. Camillus.

Here, where on 14 July 2013 the jubilee celebrations were begun, in recent days the last appointments were held, those wanted jointly by the Camillian religious, the St. Camillus de Lellis Jubilee Committee and the town council of Bucchianico.

After a solemn triduum of preparation which began on 11 July, in the morning of Saturday 12 July there was one of the most awaited moments: the ordination (the first for almost fifty years) of two priests from Bucchianico: Germano Santone and Umberto D’Angelo. The solemn celebration of the Eucharist, which took place in the Church of St. Urban to receive the accommodate the large number of participants, was presided over by the Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, Monsignor Bruno Forte, in the presence of the Vicar General of the Order of Camillians, Father Laurent Zoungrana; the Archbishop of the diocese of Tenkodogo, Monsignor Prosper Kontiebo; and a large number of Camillian priests.

During the Holy Mass, Father Laurent read out a message of greetings from the new Superior General of the Order, Father Leocir Pessini.

‘Never become habituated to the gift of the priesthood’, said Monsignor Bruno Forte in his homily, ‘never lose the enthusiasm of your vocation. Ensure that your ministry is one of consolation, hope, and trust. As Pope Francis has said, be priests for a field hospital church’.

In the evening of 12 July there took place once again the appointment of the ‘March of Charity’ from Chieti to Bucchianico; about 5,000 pilgrims were present when it arrived in St. Camillus Square where, to give a blessing with the relic of the saint, there was the new priest, Germano Santone.

And it was he who on the morning of 13 July presided over his first celebration of the Eucharist. At 21.00 and 22.00, in addition, the docu-fiction ‘Ti servirò’ (‘I will serve you’), on the life of St. Camillus, was shown.

On Monday 14 July, the liturgical memorial of the saint, the sanctuary hosted various celebrations of the Eucharist, amongst which one presided over by the Archbishop of Lanciano-Ortona, Monsignor Emidio Cipollone. In the evening the Transit of St. Camillus (his last days on earth) was commemorated. Reference should also be made to the special franking of the postage stamp to commemorate the fourth centenary which took place in the square behind the church.

Lastly, on Tuesday 15 July, Archbishop Monsignor Bruno Forte celebrated a Holy Mass, which was followed by the closing of the Camillian jubilee year that was presided over by Monsignor Domenico Angelo Scotti, the Bishop of Trivento, in the presence of Father Leocir Pessini, the Superior General of the Camillians, and Father Emilio Blasi, the Provincial Superior of the Province of Rome.

During the celebration, following tradition, the oil was offered that will be used for the Torch of Charity in the crypt of the sanctuary: the protagonists of this year are the town council of Loreto Aprutino, the town where the mother of St. Camillus was born, and the Italian air force

In addition, until 14 July, in the St. Camillus Sanctuary of Bucchianico, it was possible to gain a plenary indulgence.

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