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March - April 2004 COSMO 3-4

EDITORIAL

COSMO SEEKS NEWS

COSMO is older than the Servite Communications Center. It began life in 1965 as the No-

tiziario del Priore generale [Prior General’s Newsletter]. On March 11, 1967 its name was

changed to COSMO (Commentarii Ordinis Servorum Mariae Observationes). In early 1969 it

ceased being a letter from the Prior General and in 1970 it became the Bollettino del Centro

Comunicazioni OSM [Bulletin of the Servite Communications Center] but this Servite Com-

munications Center did not legal existence. The Opatija General Chapter (1971) issued a de-

cree (no. 15): “To ensure a fruitful and efficient exchange of information and ideas between all

parts of the Order, the General Chapter has decided to create a general center for communica-

tions to gather and diffuse throughout the Order information about our friars’ life and activity.”

The Barcellona General Chapter (1977) confirmed the Opatija decree and included a chapter

intervention from fra Hubert M. Moons (he was in charge of COSMO at the time). Fra Hu-

bert’s intervention required a correspondent in every province, vicariate and mission of the Or-

der. The correspondent would be responsible for sending the Center news about the local situa-

tion, the local Church, the life and work of Servites in his area. The Barcellona General Chap-

ter clarified the constitutional text approved at the Majadahonda (Madrid) General Chapter

(1968): a secretary for the Communications Center should be among the secretaries appointed

by the General Council. This is contained in the constitutional text approved by the Holy See

in 1987 (Cf. Constitutions, article 285/a).

This explains the importance of COSMO. During the years 1983-2001 it showed considera-

ble development in spite of the problems encountered in gathering information and translating

it into various languages.

Although COSMO soldiers on we are having trouble getting news. One factor undermining

news gathering is the growing use of e-mail to communicate news. Frequently the editors of

COSMO do not receive these e-mails. E-mail communications have problems. The use of the-

se messages have allowed our correspondents to slacken in their efforts – they probably be-

lieve people are getting news anyway. And what happens? We the editors of COSMO do our

best to be exact – getting given names and surnames right, numbers, dates, circumstances, etc.

Most of the e-mails we receive are vague, data is incomplete, increasingly people are identified

only by given names and sometimes not even those names are clear. The news is useless. We

can only ask COSMO readers to forgive us. Photographs often arrive without captions or iden-

tification. E-mail is certainly useful but many, especially older friars (and they are in the ma-

jority) do not have access to e-mail. There are whole communities without electronic access.

In the acts of provincial meetings and chapters – and general chapters too – we read over

and over again how important communication is. Why not use COSMO?

We have often remarked that COSMO should be a living tool for communication. It should

not be the simple record of our celebrations and anniversaries, it ought to say something about

how we celebrate, how we live, how we carry out our plans and projects throughout the world.

Making this news available to the whole Order will increase our confidence and create gen-

uine communion.

Write to us and your “news” will reach the whole Servite Family.

The Editors

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PRIOR GENERAL AND COUNCILOR

CANONICAL VISIT TO LATIN AMERICA

From February 16 to March 30, 2004, fra Ángel M. Ruiz Garnica, the Prior General, and fra Honorio M. Martín Sánchez, Coun-cilor for the Latin America paid a fraternal visit to the friars and members of the Servite Family in Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina.

Here is a brief account of what we heard and saw. We met personally with some 80 individuals as well as various groups from the Servite Family (Sisters, Secular Order members, Friends of the Servites, consecrat-ed lay people). We met too with pastoral councils, catechists, teachers and students – in all we visited eleven Servite communities. In the Andean Vicariate there are 36 friars (6 with temporary vows), 3 novices, 6 aspirants, 1 pre-novice, 7 communities, 2 Servite bish-ops and 3 friars in Italy. In the Argentinean Delegation there are 17 friars, 4 pre-novices, 1 candidate and 4 communities. We met with seven bishops. LIMA, PERU. February 16-19. 1 Servite com-munity: 2 friars with solemn vows and 1 Pe-ruvian with temporary vows – another two professed are living in Chile. The foundation


belongs to the Andean Vicariate and hopes to establish the Order in Peru, recruit voca-tions and evangelize people in a Lima sub-urb, Ate Vitarte. The friars work in Christian communities in a poor, lower class area and are an effective presence – much respected by the people. The parish, San Gregorio, has 150,000 people and includes fourteen com-munities.

We celebrated the Solemnity of the Seven Holy Founders with the people of San Gre-gorio. We met and had a cordial discussion with the community council. The following day we had the same sort of meeting with the Christian community of Nuevo Avitarte.

The friars are renovating a house that will serve as their priory and a house of welcome for vocation prospects. Completing these renovations is proving financially difficult. If you are interested in making a contribution please contact the General Treasurer of the Order.

There are two communities of Servite Sis-ters – Siervas de María Dolorosa (Mexico) with 2 temporary professed and 6 sisters with perpetual vows. One community is in Lima – it is a house of formation and pastoral work. The other community is in Pachaca-mac in the “Sierra” and provides pastoral service and an infant school for eighty chil-dren. The sisters will soon open a third com-munity in the capital city. We were struck by the hard lives of people in this semi-desert

FR. JOSÉ ÁNGEL M. CAMARILLO LÓPEZ

IS THE NEW GENERAL SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS OSM

Following the resignation of the General Secretary for Communications OSM, fra Lino M. Pacchin, on 10 October 2003, the General Council, at its session of 5-6 April 2004, appointed to succeed him in that post as from 1 May 2004 fra José Ángel M. Camarillo López.

Fra José Ángel M, 46 years old and a member of the Mexican Province, is at present serving in the formation team at St. Alexis Falconieri International Formation Community. Ordained priest in 1982, he received a Licentiate in Educational Sciences from the Salesianum Pontifical University in Rome in 1988. He has always served in the field of formation of the professed students in his province. The new General Secretary for Communications is also possessed of great competence in matters musical, and has a very fine singing voice.

In his letter of appointment, the Prior General informed the new General Secretary of a list of possible members of the Secretariat; they had been consulted by fra Lino M. Pacchin and had expressed their willingness to serve, but because of other difficulties that had intervened, had been unable to meet.

The COSMO Editorial Board would like to express its profound gratitude to fra Lino M. Pac-chin not only for having led the General Secretariat for Communications with great care, com-petence and authority for over twelve years but also for his assiduous work for the editing and punctual publication of COSMO, which has been so well received.

PRIOR GENERAL AND GENERAL HOUSES

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area; equally striking was the vision and courage of our Sisters. We shared moments of fraternity with the community in La Magda-lena and met with both friars and sisters. The Superior General, Sister Elida, was present. LA PAZ, ORURO, COCHABAMBA – BOLIVIA. February 20-28. We went from a very warm Lima at sea-level (30 degrees Celsius) to La Paz, 4100 meters above sea-level and very cold where Fra Hugo and Fra Jairo awaited us and then set out for Oruro, a city of 200,000 inhabitants, 3700 meters above sea-level. The Oruro Carnival was in progress when we arrived. This carnival is described as the “Obra maestra del Patrimonio oral e intangible de la humanidad [Masterwork of the oral and intangible heritage of mankind].” It is a popular religious festival cum pilgrim-age. Some fifty groups take part and include anywhere from dozens to hundreds of danc-ers. There is a continuous 4 km parade of colorfully costumed dancers accompanied by musicians. It is a splendid show of traditional beauty that reaches its climax as the danc-ers enter the Sanctuary to do homage to the Mamita de Socavón. Thirty-five thousand dancers, five thousand musicians and some four hundred thousand people take part in the celebration which lasted from 7:30 AM to 4 AM the following morning. Oruro‟s altitude made us feel a little dizzy – we had head-ache and high blood pressure. The Prior General‟s traveling companion succumbed to altitude sickness and spent a day in bed with a fever.

A community of four friars has charge of the sanctuary – the only Servite Sanctuary in Latin America. Next to the sanctuary the hard-working friars have established a school, a soup kitchen and a refuge for wom-en victims of domestic violence. The Servite Sisters of Reparation (Riparatrici) are also present. They run a health clinic and a cen-ter for children with family problems.

The Secular Order is flourishing. We shared a family celebration with the

Servites and with those who work in the Sanctuary. As we had done in Lima we had a profitable discussion on the state of the Or-der and the tragic situation in Mozambique. Fra Sebastián Sandoval prepared a theatri-cal presentation in our honor and the school children performed.

We found a sincere and cordial welcome in


these countries. It strengthened our sense of “family spirit” and moved us to thank Our Lord and Our Lady for the great things Ser-vites are accomplishing among these poor and humble people. The joy and hope we experienced in their midst was a source of renewed confidence. COCHABAMBA. February 26-27. Fra Nico M. Sartori drove us to Cochabamba (600,000 inhabitants, 2700 meters above sea-level). It was a five-hour journey from Oruro. Cocha-bamba is the site of the second Bolivian Ser-vite community. There are three friars and three aspirants in this community devoted to vocations and evangelization of our neigh-borhood.

Here too we met with Secular Order mem-bers – simple and friendly people. As at our other steps we arranged a family meeting: introductions, discussions, prayer, time spent together …

Archbishop Tito Solari, paid an unex-pected visit to our priory. He wanted to meet the Prior General and thank him for the work Servites were doing in his diocese. Servites do neighborhood pastoral work and promote devotion to Our Lady through teaching and broadcasting. SANTIAGO, PUERTO MONTT, COYHAIQUE – CHILE. February 28 - March 16. On Sunday, the 29

th, we met with the Servite Family. The

meeting was arranged by three consecrated lay people attached to the Peñalolén com-munity who work in Koinomadelfia (Communion and Fraternity). This project was launched by fra Gabriele M. Paccanaro some ten years ago to care for children (up to age 18) with family problems. Eighty chil-dren of all ages live in ten houses and are cared for by a matron. We met with some eighty people in Santa Bernardita priory: fri-ars from the three Santiago communities, as-pirants and postulants, Servite Sisters (Addolorata, Florence), Friends of the Ser-vites, Secular Order members and conse-crated lay people …

We presented our reports and took part in a group discussion. Afterwards we celebrat-ed Mass and socialized. We met with teach-ers from the Fundación Educacional “Santa Teresita” of which fra Faustino M. Gazziero is president. This is a splendid organization with more than 3,000 primary and secondary students.

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PUERTO MONTT. March 6-8. Puerto Montt is a city of 200,000 inhabitants 1,000 km from Santiago and 800 km from Coyhaique. There is no Servite community here but a single friar, fra Domingo M. Faúndez does pasto-ral, vocational and Secular Order work on the waterfront. and promotes devotion to St. Peregrine. The Compassionist Servite Sis-ters have recently arrived and are working in St. Peregrine Laziosi parish which extends over 40 km and includes fourteen „chapels‟ – Christian communities. There are seven Secular Order fraternities with 350 members. The community is strongly committed to evangelization. Local religious feeling is very much alive and is in harmony with Servite spirituality. We witnessed the large and en-thusiastic participation of the faithful at the consecration of two of these chapels. One of these chapels was dedicated to St. Philip Benizi. There was a procession and an im-age of the saint was carried though the street with speeches, participation of offi-cials, folkloric dances and the presence of the Archbishop. The second chapel at Chip-iquiyaipe was dedicated to the Annunciation. There was a blessing of the “Santuario Natu-ral de San Peregrino Laziosi Joven conver-tido.”

On March 8 we visited Msgr. Juan M. Agurto, Coadjutor Bishop of San Carlos de Ancud on the island of Chiloé. We had a day of rest and site-seeing on this beautiful is-land. COYHAIQUE. March 9-15. The Servite com-munity has seven friars who work in the ca-thedral parish of Coyhaique, a city of 40,000 inhabitants and the seat of a Vicar Apostolic. There are a dozen chapels and an enormous high school – San Felipe with 1070 students. We had a wide-ranging open discussion with the professors and some 100 students. Fra Alex who does pastoral work in the institution was present.

Bishop Luis M. Infanti OSM, invited us to dinner at his house. We met with members of different branches of the Servite Family (prayer, discussion, refreshments) at the high school run by the Addolorata Servite Sisters from Florence.

We visited Puerto Aysén where other Ad-dolorata Servite Sisters manage a center for children with problems (dysfunctional fami-lies, violence, abandonment) called Hogar el

Ángel and Centro M. Eleonora Giorgi . Forty children (20 under the age of 2) are given shelter, education, support and family. Here too we found fraternal solidarity. BUENOS AIRES, QUILMES, FÁTIMA, LAS TOS-

CAS – ARGENTINA. Marcy 16-30. Community of Buenos Aires (Devoto): We greeted the friars and then met and shared experiences with members of the Secular Order and the Pastoral Council – some thirty people. The Buenos Aires community is the headquarters of the Delegation and serves as a house of formation for four postulants. QUILMES COMMUNITY. Here too we met with the friars, the pastoral council, members of the Secular Order, the Servite Sisters (Addolorata, Nocera) and members of other church organizations – in all some sixty peo-ple. Many young people belong to charis-matic renewal communities. There is a good deal of life and activity in this community. There is joy and a strong missionary spirit as well as a firm commitment to family catech-esis and other parish works. The laity take an active part in all of this. FÁTIMA COMMUNITY. This community serves the whole region as a formation house. It is the novitiate and pre-novitiate for the Cono Sur – not currently in use. This is a praise-worthy effort in initial and ongoing formation that is supported by the Andean Vicariate, Argentina and Brazil.

To take advantage of the presence of the Prior General the Andean Vicar, the Argen-tinean Delegate and the Brazilian Provincial met to determine if Fátima could continue as the regional novitiate and pre-novitiate. No consensus was reached although the majori-ty favored keeping the novitiate at Fátima until authorities of the three jurisdictions and formation personnel make a definitive deci-sion in July. Later (2005 Regional Chapter) the possibility of some other location (Mexico, Bolivia) will be considered. LAS TOSCAS, SANTA FÉ PROVINCE. This was the last community we visited. After meeting with the friars we went to Avellaneda where our friars lived until last year. Their work is remembered with affection and the Servite Family (Servite Sisters of Reparation (Riparatrici), Servite Secular Institute and the Secular Order) is still present in the city. The Servite College, a respected secondary school, remains a legal responsibility of the

COSMO 3-4 March - April 2004

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Order. We met with many of the professors and

then celebrated Mass at the opening of the school year. Students and their relatives at-tended the service.

We had planned a half-day with other branches of the Servite Family at the retreat house of Nuestra Señora de Itati – an institu-tion run by the Riparatrici Sisters. We held a meeting and discussion followed by Mass. During the Mass two young married couples (Patricia and Gabriel, Roxana and Guiller-mo) made the promise as members of the Secular Order. The meeting concluded with the famous “asado.” It was a fraternal and festive occasion. Ten other individuals are preparing to establish a new Secular Order fraternity in Tacuarendi.

Our visit revealed so many beautiful facets of the Servite Family presence. Our commu-nities – friars, sisters, consecrated individu-als, humble lay people – are small but signifi-cant. They are eager to learn more about Servite spirituality so that it can inform their life. They serve humble people with dedica-tion and joy in so many areas through evan-gelization, catechesis and a commitment to justice and solidarity.

We have witnessed lay people on the front line of evangelization. The charism of the Seven Holy Founders has adapted to new challenges and demands.

Servites today – friars, sisters, Secular In-stitute and Secular Order members, Friends of the Servites, consecrated lay people - are living out their vocation in a variety of differ-ent ways: promotion of devotion to Our Lady; commitment to fraternity; devotion to St. Per-egrine; new forms of poverty; inclusion of young people; new forms of consecration in the Servite Family; teaching; work in poor neighborhoods; missionary zeal; hospitality; involvement with the suffering and neglect-ed; a commitment to the dignity of individuals – a commitment to justice and peace. They make a significant contribution to the Church and people of the world. It is up to us to bring about renewal.

fra Honorio M. Martín Sánchez, osm

HISTORICAL INSTITUTE

AN ACADEMIC MEETING IN 2006

The Collegium of the Historical Institute has proposed holding an Academic Meeting in October 2006 during the History and Spir-ituality of the Order course. This meeting will be the first in a series of similar historical symposia to produce an updated history of the Order. The meeting will discuss Reli-gious Orders – Suppression and Revival (1848-1950). The Servants of Mary. The Col-legium has prepared a detailed program for a four-day meeting that will include papers, reports and discussions (13 papers and 8 reports) on: 1. From Suppression to Revival; 2. Expansion and Missionary Commitment; 3. Women‟s Movement; 4. Spirituality, Theol-ogy and Culture; 5. Community Life; 6. Ser-vice of the Church. Each theme will include a variety of subordinate topics. There will be exhibits of documents, bibliography and pho-tographs during the Meeting. We hope to present these exhibits on a Compact Disc. Participants will receive dossiers that include a chronological tables placing General Chap-ters and Priors General of the Order, estab-lishment of priories, creation of jurisdictions, Servite Saints and Blesseds, noteworthy in-dividuals, books, publications, periodicals, women‟s movement (foundations, approvals and aggregations to the Order), the Third Or-der, the Confraternities of Our Lady of Sor-rows in the context of Church and world his-tory along with statistical tables and maps.

Franco Azzalli

JUSTICE AND PEACE

MOZAMBIQUE. A HISTORY OF HORROR

A seminar on the abduction of children and organ traffic in Nampula, Mozambique was sponsored by the “Ferdinando Maria Bac-cilieri” Center for Spirituality, the Mission Secretariat and the Justice and Peace com-mission of the Piedmont-Romagna Province. Fra Benito M. Fusco is in charge of the Mis-sion Secretariat. The seminar was held at Galeazza Pepoli (Bologna). Fra Claudio M. Avallone from the General Secretariat for

SECRETARIATS AND GENERAL OFFICES

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Justice and Peace who had just returned from Mozambique spoke. Another speaker was Lorenzo Sani, special envoy of Il Resto del Carlino. Sani has provided national cov-erage on organ traffic and the concomitant horrors in Nampula. After the seminar and a shared meal we joined with the Servite Sis-ters of Nampula and our cloistered nuns throughout Italy in a prayer vigil – to provide a voice for those who have no voice. The vigil included texts and hymns prepared by the nuns of Arco. Before the vigil there were slides of Mozambique. We gathered signa-tures for the international appeal launched by the Servite nuns in Nampula.

THE ARCHBISHOP OF NAMPULA

DEFENDS THE SERVITE CLOISTERED NUNS

After the death of the Lutheran deaconess and the pressure exerted by the press chil-dren were no longer being kidnapped in Nampula. Everything stopped suddenly but those engaged in these nefarious activities prepared a counter-attack. Local newspa-pers – especially those linked to the govern-ment – began printing defamatory articles about the Servite cloistered nuns, Elilda dos Santos (a consecrated lay person) and the Church of Mozambique. On March 19, Msgr. Tomé Makhweliha, the Archbishop of Nam-pula, made a clear and forceful statement, the first such statement since the nuns had brought the situation to world attention: “We, the Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of Nampula, reject all the recent calumnies in the local press that impugn the credibility of Sister Elilda and the cloistered nuns. We re-ject the devices employed to reduce the Catholic Church in Nampula to silence or to undermine the Church’s denunciation of child trafficking, kidnapping, murder and the mutilation of cadavers. Every attempt to por-tray the Church as divided is false – we agree fully with the denunciation these evils. We reaffirm our will to work for the defense of life and the dignity of the human person regardless of creed, race, color, political or social position. We demand that investiga-tions continue and produce clear, thorough and detailed results. May the truth come to light and may the criminals be unmasked. Msgr. Tomé Makhweliha, Archbishop of Nampula.”

This communiqué was signed by a repre-

sentative of the Diocesan Priests of Nampula and the presidents of CIRM (Conference of Male Religious of Mozambique) and CON-

FERMO (Conference of Female Religious of Mozambique).

The Archbishop led an ecumenical week of prayer in the cathedral and a large number of clergy, religious and lay people attended. On a date yet to be determined there will be a public demonstration in the streets of the city. Mother Juliana Calvo, OSM, prioress of the Mater Dei cloistered community writes: “Everything is quiet and the government has initiated new investigations. A bipartisan (FRELIMO and RENAMO) parliamentary com-mittee is investigating the situation. Both those involved in organ traffic and the gov-ernment have changed their tactics. We can only wait and see what will happen …” Moth-er Juliana thanks all those who have sup-ported this struggle against kidnapping and organ trafficking.

Claudio Avallone

OFFICE OF THE GENERAL TREASURER

THE ORDER’S FINANCE COUNCIL MEETS

The Finance Council met at Eger in Hunga-ry (March 22-26). The following friars were present: General Treasurer fra Piergiorgio M. Mazzoleni and Council Members fra Au-gustine M. Kulbis, Michel M. Sincerny, Eugenio M. Ganassin, Gottfried M. Wolff and Valdir M. Borges. The Council invited Fra Riccardo M. Casagrande to Eger to lead the liturgy during the meeting. The Gen-eral Treasurer will present the results of this meeting to the General Council for its ap-proval.

CONFITES

TWENTIETH NATIONAL MARCH

The Twentieth National March, sponsored by CONFITES, took place on the night be-tween May 8

th and 9

th. It celebrated the sev-

enth centenary of the Order‟s papal approv-al. The theme of the March was: “Seven Centuries of Service with Our Lady in the

INTER-PROVINCE COLLABORATION

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Church for Peace in the World.” The march covered sixteen kilometers: beginning at the catacombs of San Callisto it went the basili-ca of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Sant‟Ales-sio Falconieri/Marianum on the Janiculum, Piazza San Pietro and the Church of San Marcello al Corso. To promote the fullest participation possible buses have been ar-ranged from Rovato (Brescia), Follina (Treviso), Vicenza, Chioggia, Bologna, Flor-ence, Pistoia, Ancona, Naples, Taranto and Syracuse.

CONO SUR (CONO SUR CONFERENCE OF LATIN AMERICA) THE PRIOR GENERAL

AND HIS VICAR MEET THE COUNCIL

Fra Ángel M. Ruiz Garnica, the Prior Gen-eral took the occasion of his presence in the Rio Plata Delegation for canonical visitation to convene a meeting of the Cono Sur Coun-cil. The meeting was held in Buenos Aires on March 23 and the following friars were pre-sent: the Prior General, the Vicar General of the Order, fra Honorio M. Martín Sánchez, the Brazilian Prior Provincial, fra Jorge M. Borges, the Rio Plata Provincial Delegate, fra Agustín M. Poier, the Vicar Provincial of the Andean Vicariate, fra Bernardino M. Zanella and the Regional Coordinator fra Rinaldo M. Stecanela.

The theme of the meeting was regional col-laboration. All the regions of the Order are reviewing the subject and revising some of their initial concepts. Initial and permanent formation are absolute priorities for the Cono Sur (Latin American) Region. In the discus-sion of a common novitiate the following opinions emerged: 1. Jurisdictions - espe-cially formation secretariats – should discuss the possibility of changing the amount of time spent in the pre-novitiate; 2. The crea-tion of a common novitiate for all of Latin America is inevitable. Friars and formation personnel should become better acquainted and should consider a common program with the Mexican Province. 3. In the meantime the Cono Sur will re-establish its common novitiate in 2005. Fátima (Argentina) was proposed as a site; formation of a community should begin next July so all the friars will be present before the end of the year. This pro-posal presented certain personnel problems. The Andean Vicariate suggested an alterna-

tive: Cochabamba where a stable community is already in existence. An experienced nov-ice master and friars from Brazil and Argenti-na could be added to the community without problems. The house is ideal and the eccle-sial and social milieu are favorable. In any event this subject will be discussed at the upcoming regional council (July 16) in Fáti-ma. The Andean Vicariate Council agrees that a common novitiate for Latin America would be appropriate. It believes that the most realistic temporary solution for the pre-sent would be Cochabamba or Aguascalien-tes for 2005-2006.

Faustino Gazziero

PIEDMONT-ROMAGNA TURIN. “RAGAZZI DI PADRE FEDELE”

GROUP FORMS

We are a group of friends who share a common sensibility from the time we were young people involved with Father Fedele M. Banchio. Father Fedele devoted his en-tire priesthood from 1938 until his death in 1996 to working with young people in central Turin. With Servite support and direction we are forming a secular community to give wit-ness to our faith in Christ and reflect our de-sire to share Servite ideals. Inspired by Mary the Mother and Servant of our Savior Jesus Christ we pledge ourselves to human and Christian evangelical values in our families and in the world. Since the family is society‟s foundation the apostolate and witness of Christian family life our priority. We will sup-port each other in our married, family and social life and in our efforts to work in the world following our own rule and inspired by Servite spirituality. In the world and the Church we share the concerns and hopes of the Servants of Mary. The love of God moves us to create a world that reflects Gos-pel values. We hope to live in the spirit through prayer, the apostolate, marriage, family life, daily work and free time. Each member will take an active part in the pasto-ral commitments of the religious community or the parish as time and talent permit. Through devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows


PROVINCES, VICARIATE, DELEGATIONS

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each member will cultivate an interest in serving the sick, the aged and the physically, spiritually or morally needy. In the spirit and imitation of the early Christians we will meet monthly in fraternal communion to become better acquainted with each other, and to of-fer mutual support in our efforts to achieve Christian perfection. In a spirit of simplicity we will share our ideas and experiences.

This Secular Fraternity will be known as the “Ragazzi di Padre Fedele [Father Fed-ele‟s Boys].” We will meet once a month, to reflect on God‟s Word, study our Rule and discuss our every-day human, social and re-ligious concerns. Generally our meetings will follow this format: prayer to Our Lady; presentation of a specific subject (something linked to Servite spirituality or something of current interest seen from the perspective of Catholic belief); clarification and discussion of the subject; concelebration of Mass; fra-ternal meal. A group of five members will co-ordinate activities in the “Ragazzi di Padre Fedele” Secular Fraternity. One member will act as secretary for a term will last one year which can be extended for a second year. To create a cohesive, active group with a strong Marian inspiration, we have asked fra Ve-nanzio M. Ramasso, Prior of the Servite Community of Turin-Superga, to become our spiritual director and mentor.

The “Ragazzi di Padre Fedele” Group

AN EXHIBITION OF FIORENZO M. GOBBO

IN HONOUR OF POPE JOHN PAUL II

From 27 March to 25 April, a much-appreciated exhibition of works of art by fra Fiorenzo M. Gobbo OSM was held at the Visconti Tower in Lecco in honour of Pope John Paul II on the 25

th anniversary of his

pontificate. The title and theme given to the exhibition was The light and colour of Grace. The mystery of the Virgin in the art of one of her servants. The exhibition was promoted by the Marianum Pontifical Theological Fac-ulty and organised by Demetria, a communi-cations organisation in Lecco, under the overall supervision of Adriano Stasi; this body had also organised a convention last December about “The restoration and pro-tection of ecclesiastical works of art. The case of the priory of Pescarenico”. Present at the opening of the exhibition were Arch-bishop Piero Marini, Master of Pontifical Li-

turgical Ceremonies, the President of the Marianum Faculty, fra Silvano M. Maggiani, and various civic dignitaries. Fra Fiorenzo explained his artwork thus: “In working on stained-glass widows, mosaics and frescoes for churches and chapels, I attempt to follow in the great tradition of the Bible of the poor of the cathedrals of the classical period, that is, ways of expressing of a great message of hope and comfort for the solitude of people today. I have tried to express Marian and Christological themes together; a recurring theme is the divine motherhood, Mary hold-ing not just her baby Son in her arms, but also her dead Son. The Mother of the Lord is for me not just an image, but a person al-ways joined to Christ and to his mystery. Mary is the great Mother who helps every person to come to birth, to die and then to be born again”.

VENETIAN PROVINCE

NEW PROVINCIAL COUNCILOR

On February 10 in conformity with article 233/c of the Constitutions, the Venetian Province Provincial Council elected a provin-cial councilor to replace the recently de-ceased fra Mariano M. Martinello. Fra Pier-giorgio M. Di Domenico will hold this posi-tion until the next chapter of elections.

KENYA. BRIEF HISTORY

OF THE NAIROBI COMMUNITY

The opening phases of events in our histo-ry are seldom glorious. Often behind the scenes and the important decisions there is a pettiness or meanness totally unworthy of the greatness or glory that will mark the fu-ture of an enterprise. To some extent this is true of the Servite presence in Kenya. To make it possible for Ugandan Servite candi-dates to attend a qualified school of theology that reflects African culture is a noble and necessary initiative. We can choose from three Catholic theological faculties and do vocation work in a country where the Marian charism has much to offer. Getting this pro-ject off the ground, however , has more to do with material considerations than high-flown ideals. This may be discouraging, but it is the price we must pay. My first concern was find-ing a house to rent near the Tangaza Theo-logical Faculty on the southwest edge of chaotic Nairobi. The house had to be suita-


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ble (at least for two years) for some twelve friars – students and formation personnel. After making personal and telephone contact with individuals and agencies I was shown some houses but the rent asked was exces-sive. Seeing our desperation, a religious congregation offered us a wing in an enor-mous building that housed only a few stu-dents. It seemed a perfect solution to our problems – but then the rent they asked made it clear that we were not welcome. Providence looks after its children. A devout Catholic lady working for the United Nations in New York wanted to rent her beautiful house to a religious institute for a few years. The rent being asked was reasonable and her house became the first Servite founda-tion in Kenya. It will soon house a community and be given a name.

Furnishing the house was our next con-cern. We felt the need to be independent and to distance ourselves from the Camillan Fathers who had been so very hospitable and kind to us. Anyone who has shopped in an Arab bazaar or African market knows that one either haggles or is fleeced. Haggling is an art and not all of us are artists. A foreign-er‟s only defense is to shop in the large su-permarkets that fortunately abound in Nairo-bi - the prices are higher but fixed. However one cannot buy a second-hand car in a su-permarket. You may make a good deal with the individual selling the car but then there is the mechanic who repairs the motor and body. Undoubtedly he was recommended by someone you trust but you will still end up paying for work not done, parts not replaced and maintenance neglected by the former owner. Neither can you buy cypress wood chairs at the supermarket. To avoid being cheated by a single furniture maker we made the rounds of several and discovered that the last craftsman asked one third the amount as the first.

Can we even trust our own cook? She lis-tens to all our complaints, sympathizes and gives lots of good advice. “Do you need cur-tains? My sister is a seamstress and charges almost nothing. She will go with you to buy the material you need.” She goes with us and buys twice the amount needed, then re-turns home to sew the curtains and charge us ten times the usual amount for such work.

I could continue this catalogue of com-

plaints but I will stop here. If I didn‟t look at these events with a sense of humor I would find them depressing or humiliating.

That isn‟t the end of it: there is the bishop – or rather archbishop and future cardinal – of Nairobi. He is doubtless a talented and quali-fied individual but our first contact with him was far from cordial. He was more interested in knowing what “group” we belonged to or what we were doing in his diocese than in knowing who we were. After answering his questions he couldn‟t refrain from saying we ought to have asked his permission before coming to Nairobi. Unfortunately he had for-gotten an earlier meeting with our local supe-rior who presented him with a letter from the Prior Provincial; he gave the superior verbal permission. When we sheepishly told him he had already given us his permission he asked what were the terms. I said what I had been told: that there was a condition for en-rolling our students in the theology faculty – we must start doing apostolic work in the dio-cese as soon as possible. Only then was the archbishop satisfied; he made some general recommendations about recruiting vocations and then dismissed us abruptly. Certainly these are all petty contretemps and in spite of minor setbacks the Servites have estab-lished a presence in Nairobi. No pages of history have yet been written, but the book is open, the pen is in hand and we are ready to begin writing.

Gino Leonardi

THE DIOCESAN PROCESS FOR FRA

GIOACHINO M. ROSSETTO CONCLUDED

On September 15, 1995, the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, the cause of beatification for the Servant of God, fra Gioachino M. Rossetto was solemnly inaugurated in the Basilica of Santa Maria di Monte Berico in Vicenza. Fra Gioachino was a priest and friar in the Servite Order, born in Falgare di Poleo, Schio (Vicenza) on June 8, 1880 who died at the age of 55 in our priory at Tirano (Sondrio) on June 11, 1935. In his homily on this solemn occasion, the Bishop of Vicenza, Msgr. Pietro Nonis uttered this invocation to Our Lady: “We ask Our Lady to guide those who will labor assiduously with evangelical prudence and wise judgement on the not easy task of examining the life, works, writ-ings and words of Father Gioachino M. Ros-


10

setto.” Finally on December 20, 2003 in the Basilica of Monte Berico after eight years of work, the new Bishop of Vicenza, Msgr. Cesare Nosiglia presided at the solemn closing of the diocesan process for the can-onization of the Servant of God, Father Gi-oachino M. Rossetto.

Msgr. Pietro Nonis who had initiated the process along with Msgr. Bernardo M. Cazzaro and Msgr. Aldo M. Lazzarin, re-tired missionary bishops took part in the closing Mass. Both Msgr. Cazzaro and Msgr. Lazzarin had left for their missionary jour-neys from Monte Berico – they were witness-es of the same apostolic zeal that inspired Father Gioachino. Over eighty priests took part in the concelebration (Diocesan priests, Servites and priests from the diocese of Vit-torio Veneto). Members of the spiritual fami-lies established by Father Gioachino – Isti-tuto Secolare Femminile “San Raffaele Ar-cangelo” and the Unione Sacerdotale “San Raffaele Arcangelo” were present. A large number of pilgrims were also in attendance.

From Inter fratres, no. 266, p. 99

USA PARISH BUILDS SHRINES

TO HEALING SAINTS

In rebuilding a 1500 seat church, (new highway construction took the old church) the Church of the Magdalen focused on a different aspect of its patroness, Mary Mag-dalen- that of healing. Because the Church is a place of healing, the new church would contain shrines for saints of healing: Mary Magdalen, Our Lady of Lourdes, Mother Te-resa, and St. Peregrine. In November 2003, Fr Christopher M. Krymski, O.S.M. and Bishop Emeritus Eugene John Gerber ded-icated the shrine to St. Peregrine. The life-size bronze statue depicting St. Peregrine receiving the vision of the Crucified Christ is the work of Mr Lynn Kircher of Colorado. The purpose of this shrine and others like it is threefold: for the public veneration of the representation of saints; to motivate us to seek God; and to learn the way to Christ, mindful of how the saints are in communion with us.

The Church of the Magdalen is located in Wichita, Kansas. Additional pictures are available for viewing at www.magdalenwichita.com The parish sup-

ports those who have life-threatening illness-es and their caregivers through the St. Pere-grine Ministry, and celebration of a healing Mass takes place the first Friday of each month.

Celebrate Life, vol. 10, n. 2

MEXICO A NEW COMMUNITY

IN THE MOUNTAINS OF ACATEPEC

Some of our friars have worked among the indigenous people in the mountains of Acatepec for years; before making a defini-tive decision to open a community there the Provincial Council met in Teocuitlapa where the local population welcomed us warmly. We met with the bishop, Msgr. Alejo Zavala Castro in Tlapa and with community leaders in Teocuitlplata. Everyone expressed the wish that the church in Teocuitlplata be es-tablished as a parish and that the parish be entrusted to our care. It is unlikely that the local people would have understood the meaning of “collegiality” but our council deci-sion was genuinely collegial. On March 5, 2004, we discussed at length the best place for the friars‟ residence, the situation in Acatepec and Teocuitlapa, the ideas of the friars working in Acatepec and decided to open the new community in this area. For more than 21 years the Mexican Vicariate and later the Mexican Province have been looking for a suitable place to carry out the Servite apostolate to the “least.” The 2003 Provincial Chapter had directed the Council to “study the possibility of juridically estab-lished community” in Acatepec. The Council was unanimous in its decision to open this new community.

From a report of the Prior Provincial,

Ángel M. Vargas

FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY

OF DIVINA PROVIDENCIA

Fra Felipe M. Mariscal Chávez wrote a long article in the Boletín Informativo Mexi-cano (2004, no. 1) on the forty-year history (1963-2003) of the Priory and Parish of the Divina Providencia in Mexico City. The par-ish was established in 1961 and given to the Servites by the then Archbishop Miguel Da-rio Miranda. He had been impressed by the Servites working in Santa Cruz Acalpixca


11

since 1950. The Santa Cruz parish orchestra had performed a concert for the Archbishop. The Servite community was established in 1963 and since those early days the friars have worked almost daily at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe - especially hearing confessions.

In the beginning the parish was enormous. Subsequently three other parishes have been created out of its territory. The current church was erected in the short space of eleven months, thanks to the energy of fra Clemente M. Francescon. Its architecture adhered to guidelines laid out in the Vatican Council constitution on the liturgy: Sacro-sanctum Concilium. The renewal was sup-ported by Catholic Action, the Christian Fam-ily Movement and the Vivaldi Choir. The pri-ory was built in 1970 and became the head-quarters of the Mexican Vicariate secretari-ats. Thanks to friars Juan Ángel M. Gasperini, Andrés M. Ponso and Silvestro M. Caron parish work was intense: numer-ous parish organizations were established including a Bible Study Group and the Ser-vite Secular Order. In 1973 Mariology clas-ses for theology students and interested lay people were launched. The professors giving these classes were Jesuits, Carmelites and members of other religious institutes. These first courses formed the nucleus of what later became the Servite Marian Center. With the arrival of fra Luciano M. Torniero in 1987 the SINE (Sistema Integral para la Nueva Evangelización) began. For ten years fra Lu-ciano used these new criteria in parish work. It was during this time that the parish offices and the chapel/oratory of St. Peregrine were built. Fra Faustino M. Faustini helped de-sign the chapel. In brief one could describe the forty-year history of this parish as fol-lows: it owes much to the work of the friars who went before us. Parish work follows the directives and needs of an ecclesial commu-nity in continuous transformation – growing urbanization and its attendant problems have made this necessary. We are not solely re-sponsible for parish achievements, we owe so much to our lay people, friends and bene-factors. Many new problems have appeared on the horizon but thanks to the community‟s fraternal spirit our future looks promising.

PHILIPPINES

RHETT M. SARABIA,

FIRST VICAR PROVINCIAL

The Philippines Delegation is now a Pro-vincial Vicariate. It was established as a Del-egation in February 1996. On November 6, 2003 the General Council approved its pas-sage to the juridical status of a Vicariate. The Delegation celebrated its final general as-sembly on December 10-11, 2003. On Wednesday, March 24, the Provincial Coun-cil of the Piedmont-Romagna province met in the priory of Beata Vergine della Ghiara in Reggio Emilia to count ballots in the election of a Vicar Provincial for the Philippines. Fra Rhett M. Sarabia received an absolute ma-jority of the votes. He is forty years old and has been the Provincial Delegate. There are five communities in the new Vicariate: Dina-gat Island, San Antonio de Padua (1997); Muntinlupa, Manila, St. Peregrine Parish-Shrine (1985); Muntinlupa, Manila, Seven Holy Founders; Muntinlupa, Manila, St. Pere-grine Formation Community; Muntinlupa, Manila, St. Mary of the Servants. The Vicari-ate has 35 solemn professed, 9 temporary professed and 8 pre-novices. An agreement between the Province and the Vicariate is being drawn up. During this transitional peri-od provisional norms approved by the Gen-eral Council are in force. Next June the first Vicarial Chapter will be celebrated. The Vi-cariate publishes a newsletter, Servitelink.

SPAIN

MOZAMBIQUE. ERRATA CORRIGE

In the November-December issue of COS-

MO (2003) we wrote about the ordination of the first Mozambican Servite priest and erro-neously gave his name as Manuel Custodio M. Langana. His name is actually fra Custó-dio Cardoso Maria Luís. We are sincerely sorry for this mistake.

ANDEAN VICARIATE THE “AYSÉN CASE”

AND THE CHURCH’S COMMITMENT

On February 7 at the Casa Belén in Coyai-que a day was dedicated to information about and discussion of the “Aysén Case.” The Bishop, Luis M. Infanti De La Mora, OSM convened the meeting which was at-tended by priests, sisters, pastoral workers and relatives of the young people who have “disappeared.” The day had as its theme:


12

“Take your hand and place it in my side” (Jn 20,27).

Msgr. Infanti explained the Church‟s com-mitment to solve the tragic mystery of these young men‟s disappearance. Guido Jamarillo, representing the relatives of the young men, explained some of the circum-stances surrounding the deaths of these young men. A lawyer for these families, Dr. Cristián Cruz, described progress in the law suit initiated on behalf of five of these young men on November 7, 2002. This was fol-lowed by a discussion which informed those present of the Bishop‟s efforts to discover the truth of these deaths. Initially the young men‟s families felt no one was speaking for them. They now realize that the Church is fully engaged in acting on their behalf. The assembly broke into small working groups to discuss what to do next. We reached the fol-lowing conclusions: 1. By taking on this case the Church of Aysén has shown that it is a living and prophetic church; it welcomes the brethren and makes itself a living reality in their midst; following the example of Jesus it is a church that seeks to involve everyone in pursuing the paths of mercy; no one is to be excluded. 2. The Church of Aysén will pur-sue the Aysén Case energetically; this must be its conduct in all cases where the values of Christ and the Gospel – life and justice – are being threatened. 3. A commission will be established to inform and coordinate the Church‟s activities; the commission should promote the pastoral option for the poor and the young as set out in our six-year pastoral plan (2001-2006).

From Puentes de Aysén, 7 (2004) no. 75

INDIA

THE VICARIATE’S FIRST CHAPTER

In 1974 the Venetian Province launched our Indian foundations with a community at Mamallapuram which no longer exists. The foundations became a Provincial Delegation on June 1, 1993. By approving the decree of the 2003 Venetian Provincial Chapter and a subsequent request of the Prior Provincial (June 6, 2003) the General Council author-ized the transition the Indian Delegation to the status of a Vicariate (June 23, 2003). On February 29, 2004, fra Ferdinando M. Perri, Venetian Prior Provincial, noted the deci-sions of the recent General Assembly of the

Delegation of India (January 28-30, 2004) and officially convoked the first Chapter of Elections of the Vicariate of India to be cele-brated at Chennai (May 31-June 5, 2004). Dates were set for electing a Vicar Provin-cial. The First Vicarial Chapter will: deter-mine who will be the new Vicar Provincial; offer suggestions for a final draft of the agreement between the Province and the Vicariate; establish Vicariate by laws to be approved by the provincial council and con-firmed by the general council; elect a vicarial council – in line with the decrees of the 2001 General Chapter; approve a three-year plan for the new Vicariate.

The new Vicariate comprises five commu-nities: Trichy, Jegan Matha Priory; Chennai, Jyothi Matha Alayam; Muppaiyur, Arul Matha Priory; Bangalore, Servite Formation House; Thanjavur, Jeeva Matha Illam. As of January 31, 2004 there were 43 solemn professed friars, 20 temporary professed, 23 pre-novices and 9 postulants – some of whom are outside of India.

USA DETROIT. MEMORIAL GARDEN

IN HONOR OF ST. PEREGRINE

When we at St. Rent Goupil Parish decided to establish a memorial garden, it was at a time when it seemed to me we had so many people battling cancer or dying of it A forty-year-old man from the parish bad just died of cancer and his family wanted to donate something in memory of him. They be-queathed a five-foot bronze statue of St Per-egrine. A lovely garden was erected on the parish grounds... trees, shrubs, flowers, benches, a walkway, an American flag, the statue of St. Peregrine, and memorial bricks (pavers) in honor of or in memory of loved ones make up the garden. Presently, there are about 225 memorial pavers. To my knowledge, this is the only shrine or garden dedicated to St. Peregrine in the Detroit ar-ea.

The dedication of our memorial garden took place in May of 2003 and it is our hope and plan to have a prayer service each year on the weekend closest to the feast of St. Peregrine.

Celebrate Life, vol. 10, n. 2

ZULULAND


13

VISITATION AND ASSEMBLY

The Provincial Council of USA Province met in the St. Joseph room of the newly re-modeled Parish Center at Seven Holy Founders Parish in Affton, MO, on March 3, 2004. The Provincial reported on his recent visit in Zululand. At the present time, there are eight men from the USA Province and two from the Canadian Province working there. Charles M. Toland and Camillus M. McGrane are ill and receiving treatment. Neither could attend the Assembly. Charlie has had a second bout of chemo and will live at Hlabisa. He may return as an assistant at Star of the Sea but not to outstations. Mel M. Loftus is exceedingly busy with his many responsibilities. Thulani M. Ntsele is in charge of vocations and has two people coming in as pre-postulants. The Delega-tion's finances are in good shape. The friars have been carefully watching their money for many years.

There is one diocesan priest at the mo-ment. He seems to have a good rapport with the people at HIabisa. The bishop goes out to visit mission stations on Sunday. In the next year he will ordain two more diocesan priests. The bishop also has a seminarian from Marianhill on probation. At the Assem-bly one of the questions was how are the Servites going to let go and let the diocesan clergy eventually take over the area. There are two Ghanian priests on loan for three years. Damian M. Kobus gave a talk on the Liturgy of lent for the Assembly and it was very good. The friars of the Delegation are all hard workers. The members of the Dele-gation are asking for two things from the Province: a 20% increase in the contribution to Zululand and they would like the contribu-tion to be broken up between what goes to the Apostolic Vicariate and what goes to the Servites of the Delegation.

Paul M. Novak, for his part, remarked that two things struck him there: the dynamic en-thusiasm of the church in Zululand and the involvement of young people in the church. He also noted that Ubombo is completely supported by a parish in Portland. Tony M. Fontana added that Mel Loftus has been working at getting the individual stations to contribute to their own support.

The Council felt that there should be seri-ous consideration about having the parishes

of the Province twin with the mission sta-tions. It would be good also if the friars who give mission appeals could speak with pas-tors about the possibility of twining their par-ish with Servite mission stations.

UNIFAS ACTS OF THE

IV INTERNATIONAL CONGRESS

The UNIFAS Secretariat in Rome has pub-lished Atti del IV Convegno Internazionale della Famiglia Servitana (Fatima-Portogallo, Seminário do Verbo Divino, 13-18 luglio 2003). The volume has as its subtitle: As-coltare per servire, the theme of the gather-ing; it begins with the Prior General Ángel Maria Ruiz Garnica‟s convocation of the meeting and Sister M. Gina Casumaro RSM‟s letter of organization. It includes the meeting‟s program and a list of the partici-pants (33 Servite friars, 2 Servite Cloistered Nuns from Italy, 2 Chioggia Servite Sisters, 5 Compassionist Servite Sisters, 2 Florence Servite Sisters, 4 Galeazza Servite Sisters, 4 Servite Sisters of India, 2 Ladysmith Servite Sisters, 4 London Servite Sisters, 2 Mision-eras de Maria Dolorosa, 2 Naples Servite Sisters, 4 Nocera Servite Sisters, 3 Pisa Ser-vite Sisters, 4 Mantellate Servite Sisters of Pistoia, 3 Ravenna Servite Sisters, 9 Ripar-atrici Servite Sisters, 1 Serva de S. Maria do Cenácolo; 3 members of the Servite Secular Institute, 2 from Regnum Mariae, 34 mem-bers of the Secular Order from Australia, Canada, Chile-Bolivia, England, France-Belgium, India, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Mozambique, Portugal, USA; 4 representa-tives of National UNIFAS and 4 associates of Servite Schools in the world (London and Ri-paratrici Sisters). In addition there were 2 speakers and 4 guests. The volume also in-cludes a chronicle in Italian, English and Spanish prepared by fra Lino M. Pacchin and several congratulatory messages. Fol-lowing these sections are talks given by fra Ángel M. Ruiz Garnica, the Prior General, Professor Marco Guzzi and Sister Joyce Rupp and the Prior General‟s closing homily. This part of the publication is also in several


SERVITE FAMILY

14

languages. Finally there is the Messaggio alla Famiglia Servitana [A Message to the Servite Family].

Along with the Acts of the Fourth Meeting the Secretariat published the Atti della V As-semblea Internazionale della Famiglia Ser-vitana (Rome, March 14-17, 2003). The booklet was produced on a Personal Com-puter by Sister M. Gina Casumaro and fra Gabriele M. Gravina from the UNIFAS Work-ing Secretariat.

ROME. ANNUAL SERVITE GET-TOGETHER

The annual “get-together” of the Roman Servite Family was held on February 14-15. The first day of the meeting took place at the Servite Sisters‟ (Addolorata - Naples) Ancilla Domini community. The second day was in the Servite cloistered convent at Colle Fanel-la. Some seventy Servites took part – from the various Sisters‟ congregations in Rome and professed students from St. Alexis Col-lege. Young people came from Europe (Italy), Asia (the Philippines, India and Indo-nesia); Africa (Ivory Coast, Madagascar, and Cameroon); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Columbia and Chile).

The first day began with a welcome from Mother Alfonsina De Matteis, Prioress Gen-eral of the Servite Sisters (Addolorata - Na-ples). Fra Giancarlo M. Bruni, OSM, then read a paper on “Internazionalità, un valore da apprezzare e da vivere {Internationalism, a Value to be Treasured and Lived].” His pa-per touched on several points: 1. Biblical foundation, 2. Examples, 3. How to live inter-nationalism: avoid being judgmental, sympa-thize with the foreigner, learn the language of internationalism which is the language of love. Love is the language of universal com-munication – it involves full and uncondition-al acceptance and the abandonment of prej-udices, the most serious obstacle to com-munion between people. This is a link to the missions where people of diverse back-grounds come into contact with each other. These diverse peoples have a common des-tination: our heavenly fatherland. As St. Paul says we are all foreigners here on earth. These directives are applicable to daily life in our communities which are becoming more and more international in their composition. The world is heading towards a Pentecost community of world-wide dimensions. At

noon Fra Giancarlo celebrated Mass – the Compassionists Sisters were in charge of the liturgy. We ate a bag lunch and spent the afternoon in recreation. In the evening we recited Vespers – the Galeazza and Ripar-atrici Sisters arranged the liturgy.

We spent the second day at the Colle Fanella cloistered convent where we visited the nuns‟ exhibit on their 200 years as a cloistered Servite community in Rome. Sister Bernardetta Di Ciaccia described how the sisters live the contemplative dimension of the Servite charism. The Federal President, M. Cecilia Barbaresi was present. The morning ended with a Eucharistic celebration – fra Joacir M. Borges, Prior and Master of St. Alexis Falconieri formation community presided. It was a beautiful occasion and gave us a chance to become better ac-quainted. We felt we were members of the same family.

Asunción Antonio Felix

LADYSMITH

SERVITE SISTERS SELECT LEADERSHIP

The Sisters, Servants of Mary (Servite Sis-ters) met in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin March 29 – April 1 to select a Leadership Team for the next four years. After prayerful discern-ment, Sister Theresa Sandok was chosen to serve as President with Sisters Barbara Thomalla, and Mary Alice Willems serving as Vice Presidents. This is their second term in Leadership.

Fifty-three of the Congregation‟s 68 mem-bers gathered for the selection process. The sisters began by surfacing needs and chal-lenges facing the Congregation and the Con-gregation‟s leaders for the next four years.

The needs and challenges named includ-ed: living the Servite mission, issues of an aging community and of membership, revi-sion of the congregation‟s governance struc-ture, and strategic planning in relation to the sister‟s property in Ladysmith.

Having specified the needs and challeng-es, the sisters then engaged in prayer and dialogue to identify individuals and leader-ship team configurations that could best ad-


CONGREGATIONS

15

dress and meet those needs with and within the Congregation. By the morning of April 1, the Leadership Team had been named and was affirmed by the group in a special prayer service.

The Team will be officially installed on June 19, 2004 in the Servite Motherhouse Chapel in Ladysmith.

REPARATION SISTERS (RIPARATRICI) THE MOTHER ELISA ANDREOLI

CENTER AT PUS MESINI IN ALBANIA

It seemed very unlikely that I and my wife would spend two weeks on the very edge of Europe – in a country that seems abandoned by God but in reality has only been aban-doned by men. In spite of the third-world steamship service between Brindisi and Va-lona, in spite of the humidity that made it im-possible to sleep at night, in spite of the viper Sister Gemma found in the garage and in spite of the holes in the Valona road that we patiently avoided we went to Albania and met with people who still bear the conse-quences of the cruel repression and perse-cution they suffered. We met women and children who look at the future with empty eyes – they haven‟t even got a present let alone a future. Their day-to-day lives are a continuous series of unresolved large and small problems. They look at us with curiosi-ty and wonder why we who live in a land of abundance and opulence beyond the Otran-to Channel would choose to come to the land of the eagles. Why would we leave be-hind advanced technology and come to this land of the horse and carriage where run-down shops with Mish (meat) scribbled on the wall and a live calf tethered in front. The innocent animal will provide the advertised meat. When everyone hopes to travel in one direction why had we made the reverse jour-ney.

The Servite Sisters of Reparation (Riparatrici) at Pus Mesini live in a convent that is open from morning to night. On the ground floor there is a kindergarten with over 100 children and on the floor above my wife, Magda, taught a two-week class in tailoring and sewing for women (young adults and girls).

Sister Bardhe spent her time studying in her room (she got her degree!) and Sister Rosa divided her time between the kitchen

and the dispensary. Every now and then they disappeared for private prayer and were then back working at their computers, carry-ing sacks of rice or drums of water, talking to parents who can‟t pay kindergarten fees or struggling with spare parts that even the Ital-ian soldiers stationed in Valona could not find. They lead a life of prayer, evangeliza-tion and welfare work in an atmosphere that reflects life as it was fifty years ago. It is a patriarchal society with popular shepherd tra-ditions that are resistant to both time and dic-tatorship. If we managed to accomplish any-thing it was thanks to the sisters in Pus Mesini. We are truly grateful. If the Riparatri-ci sisters ever ask us to return to Albania – the Mother Elisa Andreoli Center will once again be our home.

Fabrizio Sternieri

CHIOGGIA

INTER-COMMUNITY MEETING IN MEXICO

On December 8, 2003 Servite Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows (Chioggia) from several communities (Santa María del Fiat, Maltrata; San José, Córdoba; Mater Dolorosa, Oriza-ba (Veracruz); Santa María de la Esperanza, Xochimilco (México, D.F.) met at the Immac-ulate Conception community in Cordoba, Veracruz to mark the seventeenth anniver-sary of our arrival in Mexico. Sister Maria Soledad representing the Familia de Naza-reth Community in Piedras Negras (Coahuila) was also present. Fra Felipe M. Mariscal Chávez came as a representative of the Servite friars – he gave a talk and cel-ebrated Mass for us. Seventeen years ago no one could have foreseen our rapid and extensive growth in Mexico.

From Una Vita, un servizio, 1/2004


16

MARIANUM. On March 24 there was a book presentation at the Marianum. La Chiesa “il corpo crismato”. Trattato di ecclesiologia [The Church “the Anointed Body.” A Treatise in Ecclesiology], was written by Cettina Mili-tello, a teacher at the Marianum. Cardinal Francesco Marchisano presided at the ses-sion. Fra Silvano M. Maggiani, the Presi-dent, welcomed everyone and presented the book. Afterwards three papers were read: Professor Tullio Citrini, Rector of the Pontif-ical Lombard Seminary and Professor of Ec-clesiology (Una nuova stagione della ricerca ecclesiologica? [A New Season of Research in Ecclesiology?]), Professor Giancarlo M. Bruni, OSM, Professor of Ecumenism at the Marianum (Ecclesiologia ed ecumenismo: acquisizioni e prospettive [Ecclesiology and Ecumenism: Advances and Prospects]) and Professor Matias Augé CMF, Professor of Liturgy at the Claretian Theological Institute and the Pontifical Liturgical Institute at the Pontifical Lateran University (La Liturgia fa la Chiesa, la Chiesa fa la Liturgia [Liturgy Makes the Church and the Church Makes the Liturgy]). MUNICH. Beginning with issue Nr. 1/2004 33. Jahrgang, the Tyrolese Province bulletin, Serviten, recounts the history of the clois-tered Servite community in Munich which was founded by Maria Eletta di Gesu in 1716 who came from the cloistered convent of Santa Maria del Pianto in Venice. From its beginning the monastery has practiced day and night adoration of the Blessed Sacra-ment. Life in this community has continued without interruption in spite of suppressions and the disasters of World War II. In their 1729 Constitutions this community (like that of Venice – 1669 and Arco – 1799) traces its origins to the Congregation of Hermits of Monte Senario.


VARIOUS AUTHORS, Fons Lucis. Miscel-lanea di Studi in onore di Ermanno M. Toni-olo. edited by R. Barbieri – I.M. Calabuig – O. Di Angelo. Rome, Edizioni Marianum 2004, XXXI-800 pp. Illustrated. 65.00 Euros.

The book begins with a letter (December

19, 1999) from the then President of the Marianum, fra Ignazio M. Calabuig; a brief biography (Vincenzo Benassi); a list of col-laborators and a dedication. The studies and papers are as follows: Bibliografia del prof. Ermanno M. Toniolo (Silvano M. Danieli, OSM); BIBLICAL SECTION: “Madre Sion” e “Figlia di Sion”. Riletture mariane, greco-latine, del Salmo 87 (86), 5 e Zaccaria 2,14; 9,9 (Secoli III-XVII) (Aristide M. Serra, OSM); Una formula enigmatica e un oracolo misterioso (Lc 2,22; 34b-35) (Alberto Valen-tini SMM); Maria fidanzata/sposa. Verifica della traduzione di Luca 1, 26-38 nel Nuovo Testamento CEI, 1997 (Mario M. Masini, OSM); “E da quell’ora il discepolo la prese nel suo ambiente” (Gv 19,27). La presenza della madre di Gesù nella comunità giovan-nea (Ugo Vanni, SJ); Mary, the Holy Spirit, and the Church in Luke-Acts: a Meditation on the Symbols in the Story (Walter T. Bren-nan, OSM); Angeli e Apocrifi del II-III secolo cristiano sui racconti canonici dell'’nfanzia di Gesù. Riletture e interpretazioni (Elio M. Peretto, OSM); PATRISTIC SECTION: La ma-ternità di Maria nelle definizioni conciliari di Costantinopoli I, Efeso e Calcedonia (Enrico Dal Covolo SDB); Tipologia Maria-Chiesa nell’esegesi di Ambrogio e Agostino (Luigi Gambero, SM); La maternidad virginal de María en el Apologeticum de Beato de Liébana (José Antonio Riestra). LITURGI-

CAL SECTION. Spunti della letteratura del I millennio sulla presenza della Vergine Maria nel dinamismo dei sacramenti (Angelo M. Gila, OSM); L’immagine pasquale di Maria nel tetravangelo siriaco di Rabbula di Edes-sa (Jesús Castellano Cervera, OCD); Un “Magnificat” liturgico ambrosiano? (Achille M. Triacca, SDB); Note per un’ermeneutica del prefazio dell’Immacolata (Ignazio M. Calabuig, OSM). ECCLESIAL TRADITION

SECTION: Die Darstellung Mariens auf Mün-

I N B R I E F P U B L I C A T I O N S

17

zen. Ein Unbeachtetes Forschungsgebiet (Anton Ziegenaus); Un sermon d’Alain de Lille (†1203) pour la fête dela Annonciation: Gloriosa dicta sunt de te, ciuitas Dei (Ps. 86,3) (Jean Longères, PSS); Maternidad divina y santitad de la Virgen en la vble. M. Maria de Jesús de Ágreda (1602-1665) (Gaspar Calvo Moralejo, OFM); THEOLOGY

SECTION: Maria nell’insegnamento del mag-istero dal Concilio Vaticano II a oggi (Angelo Amato, SDB); Il “principio mariano” nell’es-perienza di fede e nella epistemologia teo-logica (Marcello Bordoni); La concezione del mondo nella postmodernità (Ignazio Sanna); Il problema morale, la donna (le donne) e Maria di Nazaret (Bernardo M. An-tonini, OSM); Martirio di Maria e nascita del-la Chiesa nella teologia di Hans Urs von Bal-thasar (Luca M. Di Girolamo, OSM); ECU-

MENICAL SECTION. La formula “simul iustus et peccator” e la dottrina teologica ad essa sottesa nel dialogo ecumenico cattolico-luterano dal 1967 al 2000 (Giovanni Im-marone, OFM Conv.); First Thoughts about Mariology, Second Thoughts about Sophiol-ogy (Edward G. Farrugia, SJ); La Madre del Signore nel dialogo ecumenico oggi: dalla “Madre di tutte le divisioni” alla “Madre e Serva dell’unità dei dispersi figli di Dio” (Salvatore M. Perrella, OSM). SEZIONE

SPIRITUALITÀ MARIANA. La Trinità e panora-ma diacronico di fine Novecento (Stefano de Fiores, SMM); Mary - A Living Catechism (Ioann G. Roten, SM); Eucaristia e amore sponsale (Giulia Paola Di Nicola).

TITO M. SARTORI, OSM. Storia di un pro-

cesso. Imputata Maria Bolognesi. Centro Maria Bolognesi, Rovigo, 2003, 119 pp. 6.50 Euros.

On the basis of court records the author

reconstructs Maria Bolognesi‟s October, 1948 trial for fraud. She was absolved of all charges “because she did not commit the act.” Up to now the only known version of this case was the account in Maria Bolo-gnesi‟s Diario [Diary]. Thanks to Doctor Lu-cia De Giuli of the Rovigo Court fra Tito was able to see the court records included in this publication. There is the sentence handed down by the Cancelleria del Tribunale di Rovigo and – of even greater interest – doc-umentation from State Archives on the pre-liminary investigation. These documents and

the account found in Maria Bolognesi‟s diary allow us to reconstruct the events of this tragic episode. The first chapter describes the milieu in which the trial took place. The second chapter reconstructs the trial – both the investigation and the argument phases. All of the original documentation is included.

DANILO M. SARTOR, OSM. Pregare Ma-

ria oggi. Nelle stagioni della vita e dell’anno liturgico. Paoline Editoriale Libri, Milan 2004, 87 pp., 3.50 Euros.

How can we pray to Mary today? Our think-

ing must correspond to current theological and biblical thought and our heart must be sensitive to the hopes, fears and problems of the people. There is nothing ready-made in these prayers. They arise out of the situa-tions of every-day life. These prayers to Our lady voice the usual concerns but in the con-text of our present life in the Church and in the world, and according to the seasons of life and of the liturgical year. The book en-courages believers to pray to the one who is “the sign of certain hope and consolation for the pilgrim people of God” (Lumen Gentium, 68).

TERENZIO M. BIONDI, OSM. Brogliaccio

missionario. Edizioni ADAM, Ancona 2003, 64 pp.

Fra Terenzio M. Biondi, a missionary in

Swaziland since 1948 is a prolific writer. He has sent countless, lively accounts of his own experiences as a missionary in Africa to Le Missioni dei Servi di Maria and other peri-odicals. This illustrated booklet includes notes on the Servite Order and the missions along with fra Terenzio‟s more significant writings. In spite of his age – he is now 83 – he displays the same fervor and enthusiasm that led him to devote his life to the missions when he was 27 years old.


18


MISSION PROMOTION

MESSAGE FROM A NEW MISSIONARY

This is a report from a Compassionist Servite Sister, a new missionary in Cochrane

(Aysén)

Who are the Sisters in Cochrane? This was something I asked myself before leaving

for Chile. I didn’t really know much about them nor did I know much about their work or what

they were actually doing.

On November 19, 2003 I left Rome for Chile eager to know more about our mission. I

arrived in Cochrane on November 21. The sisters, and the local people, received me as a friend

and member of the family. Our house in Cochrane is some 350 km. from the airport. It was an

enormous stretch of land in which there were no inhabitants, all I could see were mountains

and lakes. It took seven hours to cover the distance but sight-seeing made the journey pleasant.

I couldn’t close my eyes – the magnificent landscape moved me to praise the Lord.

Since my arrival I have come to appreciate the work our sisters are doing here. They

are fully engaged in the missio ad gentes. They work for a Church made up of people and not

buildings. The sisters didn’t explain their work with words but deeds. I simply watched them

at work. Sisters are in charge of the parish; they perform baptisms, conduct funerals and lead

para-liturgies. The sisters and committed lay people lead parish groups for people of different

ages. A priest comes only once a month to celebrate Mass – on other days the sisters conduct a

Liturgy of the Word. The sisters are happily defer their own needs to help anyone seeking spir-

itual assistance – frequently they don’t get to bed before midnight. The Lord gives them the

strength to persevere. They know that they are helping people the Lord loves and has made in

His image and likeness – they represent Christ.

One day we were invited to a military camp where soldiers were building a public

highway. Sister Antonella and I went. The head of the military group had asked us to come

and celebrate a memorial service for a soldier who died while at work. We went to a remote

area with no roads connecting to Cochrane or any other nearby city. It was 200 km. from

Cochrane accessible only by car – at points we had to be ferried across water. The area was

desolate – all we could see was the military camp. The journey was peaceful; there were no

other vehicles, all we saw were animals and the wonders of nature. We left home at 8 AM and

arrived at our destination at 3:30 PM. We ate dinner with the soldiers and then journeyed by

boat to the place for the service. Thirty soldiers were waiting for us anxiously. I picked up my

guitar and we began to sing, pray and listen to the Good News of hope. They were moved that

we – foreign nuns – would come to them and conduct this service. We could see the joy in

their faces as they prayed with us and listened to the Word of God. This is very important

work and those engaged in it need courage as well as spiritual and psychological preparation.

Those who come to us expect words of encouragement, comfort, love and hope. We didn’t get

home until 10:30 that night.

I am very happy with the missionary work we do here. The Church needs us for this

direct mission – in the words of the Pope it is a missio ad gentes. This is the mission of the

Church and we are part of the Church. This is why our sisters are here in Chile. Our Constitu-

tions tell us this – it was the will of our foundress. It is a religious and charitable apostolate ap-

propriate to the time and place where we are called to work.

SR. IMELDA ARINQUIN, COM

19


VOCATION PROMOTION

MY VOCATION

Beginning at age 19 my vocation grew gradually in my parish youth groups. I

was a rebellious young man – very much a child of the times. My head was full of the

confusion that is typical of young people. Church was a place I went only for wed-

dings and the parties celebrated for fifteen-year-olds.

The Lord was calling me through those things I most liked. I joined a choir in a

small chapel on the outskirts of the city. I had come upon this chapel almost by chance

– pursuing a girl I liked.

I moved from the choir to the parish’s Young People’s Theater Club. For a few

months I was in the choir and belonged to a youth group that organized two Sunday

Masses. A year before I finished my industrial electrical engineering course I was giv-

en a pamphlet with the title: Would you like to be a priest? From that time on I began

to think about entering the diocesan seminary. A passage from the Gospel kept running

through my head: “Greater love than this no one has than to give one’s life for one’s

friends” (Jn 15,13). Finally I came to a decision – one year before finishing my studies

I became involved in the pre-seminary. I was accepted in the special category – semi-

narian living at home. I got my engineering diploma on February 28, 1992 and was

solemnly admitted to the seminary. The bishop himself gave me my cassock. After a

year’s spiritual preparation in Santillo (my diocese) I spent two years studying philoso-

phy at the seminary in Guadalajara. I then did a year’s pastoral service as part of a for-

mation team for minor seminarians. I then returned to Guadalajara to study theology.

For some time I had hoped for a deeper spiritual life. On the first day of class I met the

extern students and the first ones I met were the Servants of Mary.

During my first year of theology with the guidance of my spiritual director

(who is today the Bishop of Guadalajara, Msgr. Miguel Romano) and with the support

of my companions I went from being a diocesan seminarian to being a Servite candi-

date. This was all done with the appropriate permissions from my spiritual director, the

prefect for formation and the rector of the Guadalajara Seminary. After a lengthy con-

versation with my bishop I took the final step. In August 1997 I became a pre-novice

in the Xochimilco community studying theology at the Pontifical Theological Faculty

in Mexico City. Two years later I interrupted my studies to do the novitiate in Siena. I

arrived in Italy on June 14, 1999 and began my novitiate on Monte Senario on August

28. It was a long and intense year not without problems. I made my temporary profes-

sion on August 23, 2000. The rest of my story follows the usual curriculum of a friar.

You might wonder why I am telling you all of this. My answer: our lives con-

sist of experiences that are specific, vital, strong, positive, negative, pleasant and

sometimes unpleasant. Without historical memory our personality lacks foundation.

I am and hope to be a humble servant of the One who was a humble servant of the

Lord. I am happy, I have ambitions and plans which I one day hope to realize. I came

into this family through God’s grace. He continues to bless me with grace after grace.

There is little else I can say except Thank You.

Alfonso M. Aréchiga Días

20


COSMO Piazza San Marcello, 5 00187 ROMA – Italy

tel. (+39) 06 699 30 1 fax (+39) 06 679 2131

Posta elettronica:

[email protected]

Direttore Responsabile:

Lino M. Pacchin

Editore:

Casa Generalizia Servi di Maria

Autorizzazione del Tribunale di Roma n. 55/91 del 1° febbraio 1991

Stampato in proprio

PHOTOGRAPHS

1. Fr. Susaimani M., first Vicar of the new

Vicariate of India

2. Fr. Rhett. M. Sarabia, first Vicar of the new

Vicariate of the Philippines

3. Lecco, Torre Viscontea. Opening of the

Exhibition of works by artist Fra Fiorenzo

M. Gobbo, by Archbishop Piero Marini

4. Oruro (Bolivia). Orphanage run by Servite

Riparatrici Sisters

5. The Prior General and the Missioneras de

Maria Dolorosa Sisters (Peru)

6. Avellaneda (Argentina) Profession of First

Promise by 4 young Secular Servites

7. Philippines. Vocations meeting

8. Coyhaique (Chile). Fr. Giuseppe M. Bellò

(92 years old) with the Prior General

9. Nampula (Mozambique). Sr. Juliana Calvo

Ariño, Sr. Angelina from Colombia and the

mother of a little girl snatched in January

2004 and not seen since

10. Nampula (Mozambique). A mother at the

grave of her daughter, kidnapped and killed

11. Pochacamac, Lima (Peru). Sisters Siervas de

Maria Dolorosa with the Prior General and

Fr. Honorio M. Martín Sánchez

12. Chile. Consecrated laywomen. In the centre:

the Prior General; last but one from right: Fr.

Gabriele M. Paccanaro, founder of

Koinomadelfia

SUMMARY

FR. JOSÉ ÁNGEL M. CAMARILLO LÓPEZ IS THE NEW GENERAL SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS OSM

2

PRIOR GENERAL AND GENERAL HOUSES

PRIOR GENERAL AND COUNCILLOR CANONICAL VISIT TO LATIN AMERICA

2

SECRETARIATS AND GENERAL OFFICES

HISTORICAL INSTITUTE JUSTICE AND PEACE OFFICE OF THE GENERAL TREASURER

5 5 6

INTER-PROVINCE COLLABORATION CONFITES CONO SUR

6 7

PROVINCES, VICARIATE, DELEGATIONS PIEDMONT-ROMAGNA VENETIAN PROVINCE USA MEXICO PHILIPPINES SPAIN ANDEAN VICARIATE INDIA USA ZULULAND

7 8

10 10 11 11 11 12 12 13

SERVITE FAMILY UNIFAS

13

CONGREGATIONS LADYSMITH REPARATION SISTERS CHIOGGIA

14 15 15

IN BRIEF SERVITE PUBLICATIONS EDITORIAL

16 16 1

MISSION PROMOTION VOCATION PROMOTION

18 19

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