Durante questa tappa nella capitale del Tamil Nadu, Don Umberto ha visitato: l' Evening School, ha inaugurato la nuova grotta dedicata alla Sacra famiglia nella Casa Provincializia.
The annual assembly of Divine Providence Province began on 22nd August, 2019 Thursday at 9:00 am with a hymn to the Holy Spirit. Fr. Kulandai Samy the Vice-Provincial prayed for various intentions of the Superior General and the Council, Provincial Superior and the Council, praying for the birthday celebrant Fr. Suresh and for all the confreres who celebrate their ordination anniversary day and for the whole guanellian family.
After the prayer Fr. Provincial Superior gave his inaugural address along with his words of welcome to all present. Then the forum was asked to elect the moderator of the assembly and the secretary with the help of two Scrutineers Fr. Peter Sebastian and Dn. Maria Antony Rajan. The confreres elected Fr. Gnanaraj and Fr. Periyanayagam as the moderator and secretary respectively with the given consent. Then very Rev. Fr. Umberto Brugnoni the Superior General presented various themes of the 20th General Chapter. Followed by the presentation and after the tea break very Rev. Fr. Ronald the Provincial Superior presented the plan of DPP for the upcoming years in line with the guidelines given by the general council. After him Rev. Fr. Francis the treasurer in-chrage of Indian Societies and Trust presented the financial report.
Negli ultimi giorni, Fr. Franco e P. Umberto hanno visitato le comunità che sono nel centro-sud del Tamil Nadia. In effetti sono stati presenti a Dindigal, Madurai, Sivagangai, Kumbakonam per poi recarsi a Cuddalore, prima comunità guanelliana dell'India
Nella Diocesi di Madurai, nei pressi di Sivakasi, sorge il St. Paul Boys Home che ospita una trentina di ragazzi di condizione umile. La comunità religiosa anima la R. C. Primary School e la Veramamunivar High School. Inoltre, poco tempo è stata affidata alla congrezione l'animazione pastorale della Mission station
Accolto dai confratelli e ospiti, P. Umberto ha visitato questa casa che accoglie malati psichici di ambedue i sessi. Egli e Fr. Franco hanno incoraggiato i confratelli a continuare a dare "Pane e Signore" a questa porzione di fratelli e sorelle colpiti da diversi mali psichici
I giorni 7-8 agosto, Don Umberto ha visitato il Guanella Preethi Nivas nella città di Bangalore, nello stato del Karnataka in India.
Lì ha incontrato i confratelli, le consorelle e i guanelliani cooperatori che lo hanno accolto con la abituale ospitalità indiana. P. Umberto inoltre ha avuto modo di incontrare i giovani confratelli di prima formazione. Certo che non erano poche le persone a cui lui doveva dedicare il suo tempo. Infatti, resta ancora da visitare nel Karnataka la comunità di Mysore per poi avviarsi a Thalavadi.
Il 4 agosto Don Umberto e Fr. Franco hanno iniziato la loro visita canonica in India visitando le comunità di Valturu e Koppaka nello stato dell'Andra Pradesh.
Auguriamo a loro un'ottima visita!
… He said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Pray therefore the Lord of harvest to send out laborers into harvest.’ Lk. 10:2
With joy and thanksgiving to God, the guanellian family in Democratic Republic of Congo gathered on the 27th of July, 2019, in Cathedral de Notre Dame du Congo, to witness the Priestly Ordination of their brothers. The newly ordained priests,
Rev. Frs.: - Philemon Ladzus Lukumu,
- Sylvain Sieta Mbalanda,
- Arnold Mata Mbunga, and
- Jean-Pierre Bokafo Betoko
through the help of God’s grace, and the ever protection of Mary, Mother of Divine Providence, made a solemn pledge of perpetual communion with Jesus, the Eternal High Priest for the service of the Church and humanity, especially the poor.
It was indeed a graceful occasion witnessed by Rev. Fr RATHINAM SOOSAIRA, the general counselor in charge of the African Vice-Province, many confreres, close and distant relatives of confreres who so much desired to show their love, support and encouragement to the newly ordained priests.
At his homily, His grace Rt. Rev. FRIDOLIN AMBONGO, the archbishop of Kinshasa reminded the ordinands that more than ever, today, it is important to recall that the priesthood is a special gift from God and also a great mystery for the Church and the world. No one takes this grace upon himself. It is a call to serve in humility and total trust in God’s abiding grace.
Consequently, it is important for the priest to realize that in his life, God has given the most treasured of all gifts, and for all eternity hence ordained in the order of Melchizedek. Beyond the feebleness and vulnerability of human nature, he is chosen to be another Christ - ALTER CHRISTUS. Therefore, he not only shares in the priesthood of Christ but also in his Victimhood. The bloody sacrifice of Christ on the cross he is called to replicate through his self-oblation, self-denial, passionate missionary engagement especially to those who are most abandoned.
To our newly brothers, we entrust you to the intercession of our founder, Saint Louis Guanella as we wish you God’s abundant graces in your priestly vocation.
