Nº 8 - New Series, July 2005

PassionistInternationalBulletin

“The Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, all the men and women religiousand the laity of the Passionist Family have received the announcement of the

election of your Holiness as Successor to Peter with faith, trust and joy..”.

Letter of Father General to His Holiness Benedict XVI (p. 34)

Passionist International BulletinN°8 - New Series, July 2005

EditorGeneral Curia of the Congregation of the Passion

General Consultor for CommunicationsLuis Alberto Cano, C.P.

Editing and Translation of TextFloriano De Fabiis, C.P. Ramiro Ruiz, C.P. Lawrence Rywalt, C.P.

PhotographsAugusto Canali, C.P.Jefferies Foale, C.P.Floriano De Fabiis, C.P.Lawrence Rywalt, C.P.Robert Carbonneau, C.P.

AddressUfficio ComunicazioniCuria GeneraliziaP.za Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, 1300184 Roma - ITALIATel. 06.77.27.11Fax: 06.700.84.54Pagina Web: http://passiochristi.orgE-mail: commcuria@passiochristi.org

GraphicsMarco Animobono

Cover LogoLoretta Lynch

CoverHis Holiness Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger

PrintingGrafica Animobono s.a.s.Via dell’Imbrecciato, 71a00149 Roma

TABLE OF CONTENTSThe Curia Informs

Fr. Ottaviano D'Egidio, Superior General, C.P.Letter and Questionnaire of the Superior General . . . p. 3

Fr. Luis Alberto Cano, C.P.The Present Situation: The SANG Province . . . . . . . . p. 6.Fr. Jefferies Foale, C.P.The Asian Tsunami . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 7

Fr. Robert Joerger, C.P.Permission to live! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 9

Fr. Luigi Vaninetti, C.P.The Passionist Presence in Bethany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 11

Fr. Floriano De Fabiis, C.P.Toward the Future with Hope-Filled hearts . . . . . . . . p. 14

Fr. Christopher Gibson, C.P.The Missionary Legacy of Pope John Paul II . . . . . . . p. 16

Frs. Fabiano Giorgini, C.P. and P. Paulino Alonso B., C.P.A Special Passionist Apostolate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 18

Fr. Giovanni Zubiani, C.P.Concerning The Discipline Of The Cult Of Relics . . . . . p. 21

The General ArchivesAn open door to the cultural and spiritual patrimonyof the Passionist Congregation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 25

Passionist LifeNew from the ConferencesPASPAC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 26CLAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 28CIPI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 29CPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 30CII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 32Justice and Peace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 32Religious and Laity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 33Passionist Nuns and Sisters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 33Special Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 34Withnesses of the Passion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 37Ordinations and Professions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 39New Publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 42Obitus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 43

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LETTER AND QUESTIONNAIREOF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

Fr. Ottaviano D ´EgidioSuperior General, C.P.

My dear brothers, Themonth of May, themonth of Mary, is

nearing its end and, as wasannounced to you in the Lettercommencing the process ofRestructuring of 20 March 2005,3b, Part II, I am sending all of theMajor Superiors, the ProvincialSuperiors, Vice-Provincials,Regional Vicars and theirConsultors, as well as to all thecommunities of the Congre-gation, several questions aimedat soliciting reflections that mayhelp to formulate the initial stepsof the eight year program that isplanned for the Process ofRestructuring. The period ofeight years for this process wasdesigned precisely because of

the fact that Restructuring is notmerely about "making someminor adjustments"; rather it

involves a revision anda global rearticulatingand thus we feel that itis necessary to involveeveryone so each indi-vidual may make a con-tribution to the process.

These questionswill be sent, togetherwith the same question-naire, to all theConsultors of the majorSuperiors of the Con-gregation and to all thecommunities and theindividual religious.Every religious maysubmit personal res-ponses, however itwould be better if the

communities met to studythe questions and offer a com-mon response.

These questions have beenprepared during several meetingswhich the general Council hadwith the Commission forRestructuring.

The three main inter-relatedquestions concern the PassionistCharism, Passionist Presence,and the Passionist Mission.

The Charism refers to the fun-damental, unifying elements ofour specific vocation: thePassion of Jesus; present-dayhuman suffering; our uniqueidentity; the characteristics ofour life and our spirituality. This

means that each act of restructur-ing should be founded upon amore in-depth exploration ofwhat the Passionist charismmeans today. While intellectualresearch may be important, evenmore important is the experienceof the charism.

Presence, above all refers tothe Passionist communities, totheir composition and the struc-tures upon which they are estab-lished, their situation in theChurch, in society and in theirparticular localities. Presence isthe basis of mission. It is thestarting point for mission and thereality to which we return to livethe common life, to pray togeth-er, to encourage one another andfrom which we are sent forth.

Regarding our Mission, thismean re-focusing the mandateGod gave us by means of ourvocation and reflecting on theapostolates that we are presentlyundertaking and on those that wecan or may yet assume as well asthose where we are not present.Who are those who are the privi-leged recipients of our missionand what are the appropriate lan-guages to use so that we are com-prehensible and successful incommunicating the power of theCross to those who are sufferingin our post-modern world?

The General Council and theRestructuring Commissionwould greatly appreciate yourspecific contribution to help usand to explore, as far as possible,

Rosa Calabrese witnesses the blessing of St. Paul of the Cross

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the wonderful potential of whatit means to be a Passionist.

We would be grateful if youwould share with us some yourhopes for the future, so thatyour reflections may help us toformulate strategies for plan-ning the subsequent stages ofthe process.

What life style, what missioncan we envision today for aPassionist future? How are wepresent and effective in the cur-rent globalized world? Whatkind of Congregation can weenvision? What are possibledreams?

It is necessary to send theresponses and reflections to theSecretary of the Commission,Fr. Elie Muakasa, as soon aspossible but no later than nextAugust 15. The Commissionwill have an opportunity tostudy the responses and to inte-grate some or all of your reflec-tions or suggestions into theupcoming work phase.

We are looking forward tothe ideas that you have to offerus so as to proceed more effi-ciently.

Together with this letter youwill find the questionnaires andthe three main questions:Charism, Presence, andMission, as well as other pointsor questions to keep in mindwhile formulating the respons-es.

Then the reflections and theresponses will be studied andcategorized by theRestructuring Commission inthe form of a report and whichwill then constitute the basis ofdialogue and further study bythe Commission and theGeneral Council nextSeptember in Australia where

the PASPAC Assembly will takeplace and during which theGeneral Council will meetamong themselves and with theMajor Superiors of the Region.

At the September meetingthe Commission will preparethe third phase by means ofmore specific questions directedtoward the Major Superiors andthe Regional Conferences. Thiswill also be the point at whichwe wish to enlist the involve-ment and consultation of thewomen religious and the laity ofthe Passionist Family.

Obviously the Restructuringprocess which was initiatedwith the mandate of the Synodof last November/December,wishes to involve all the reli-gious of the Congregation andthe various components of thePassionist Family. We must allbe involved in searching outpaths to be taken and in offeringconcrete suggestions for actual-izing Restructuring. It musttruly be a collegial undertakingbecause we are convinced aboutthe presence of the Spirit of Godin the Congregation and aboutthe living dimension of thesacrament of salvation that,according to the Council, is theChurch.

Therefore, in a spirit of sim-plicity and humility, may no onefeel inadequate to be able togive a response, because "the

Spirit blows where he wills"and because through the"mouths of little ones God isglorified". Today, 31 May, thefeast of the Visitation of themost Blessed Virgin Mary to St.Elizabeth her cousin, "the bar-ren one who gave birth". Weentrust to her, the Mother ofJesus, our journey, she who "setout and traveled to a town ofJudah". (Lk. 1:39) Her pres-ence and her greeting also makenew life for Congregation"leap" within us. "And blessedare you who believed what wasspoken to you by the Lordwould be fulfilled." (Lk. 1:45)

As I leave for a week's pas-toral visit to our mission inBulgaria, I send my fraternalgreetings to all the religious ofthe Congregation, especially tothe sick who in their flesh expe-rience the Passion the Jesus, tothe young and to the womenreligious and the laity of thePassionist Family.

Fr. Ottaviano D’Egidio, C.P.Superior GeneralSts. John and Paul, RomeFeast of the Visitation31 May 2005

The address to which you maysend your responses is as fol-lows:* Secretary of the Commissionfor RestructuringFr. Elie Muakasa, C.P.P.za SS. Giovanni e Paolo, 1300184 Roma Italia e-mail: muakasa@yahoo.fr or to the Secretary General**email:segretariogen@passiochristi.org

The Curia Informs

The Passionist church in Metoro, Mozambique

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Questionnaire n.2

To the Communities of the Congregation

In order to share your dream for the future ofour Congregation, please answer the threemajor questions below. These are being sharedwith every Provincial, Vice Provincial andVicariate Council and every community in theCongregation in the second stage of the consul-tation process.

Q A. In light of the call to restructuring of theCongregation, our Community is committed todeepening our experience of the PassionistCharism now and for the future in the follow-ing ways:……………………..

Q B. In light of the call to restructuring of theCongregation our Community is committed todevelopment of Passionist presence now andfor the future in the followingways:…………………………

Q C. In light of the call to restructuring of theCongregation our Community is committed tore-focusing the Passionist mission now and forthe future in the followingways:…………………………

In responding to these three questions pleasetake account of the following issues that haveemerged in the process so far. Grouping theseissues under a particular question may helpyou. However some may apply to more thanone question. For example: Q A: 1, 2, 3, 4; Q B: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 14; Q C: 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14;

1. The ways in which the Congregation canremain rooted in its charism and yet have thestrength and flexibility to adapt and developnew ways of life.

2. The ways in which the prophetic witness ofthe Congregation could develop.

3. The ways in which our Passionist Formationcan develop.

4. The ways that your Community could assistthe Province, Vice-province or Vicariate to

experience, express and communicate thePassionist Charism?

5. The ways that diminishment of the numberof religious can call us to new ways of life.

6. The ways we can widen our Passionist pres-ence to welcome others in.

7. The way in which that the experience of thepoor & suffering of our world impact uponus.

8. The ways that new forms of leadership andgovernance could develop for theCongregation.

9. The ways in which we could re-focus ourmission as Passionists.

10.The ways that communications within theCongregation could be enhanced.

11.The ways we can respect the needs ofyounger and older religious.

12.The ways we maintain and promote a posi-tive relationship between developed anddeveloping parts of the Congregation.

13.The ways that the Passionist Congregationcan understand and promote the priesthoodof all the baptized.

14.The ways we can finance our life and min-istry for now and the future.

"The strength and the flexibility to adapt…"

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THE PRESENT SITUATION: THE SANG PROVINCE

Editor's note: Usuallythis space is dedicated tothe column of Fr. LuisAlberto Cano, FirstGeneral Consultor andmoderator of the CIIConference (Inter-provincial IberianConference). However,for this issue we willoffer an interview withone of the Provincials ofthe CII Conference, Fr.Eulogio Cordero of theSANG Province in Spain.

1. Fr. Eulogio, can you briefly tell us somethingabout the present situation of your Province withregard to the number of religious, the median age,areas where our religious are present and the min-istries that they undertake?

The SANG Province presently consists of 117religious situated in Spain, Panama and Ecuador,and in the Vicariate of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel inChile and the Vicariate of the Exaltation of theCross in Bolivia. The median age of the religious is55 distributed in the following manner: in Spain,the median age is 62.28 yrs., in Chile, 65 years; inBolivia 48.3 yrs., and in Ecuador and Panama, 44yrs.

2. With regard to vocations, in what condition isyour province? How has the vocation programfared that you have undertaken in recent years?Those religious in formation until priestly ordina-tion are 12, plus one novice and 12 postulants ofwhich four or five are ready to begin the novitiate.The initial formation centers are located in the com-munities of Peñafiel, San Gabriel (Madrid); Quitoand Conocoto in Ecuador; Bellavista in Bolivia andSantiago de Chile.The last Provincial Chapter stated the following asour objective for vocation ministry: "We commitourselves to undertake vocation ministry that pres-ents our community of life and mission as an invi-tation to a specific vocation." Among the variousinitiatives that were proposed are these: a)Consciousness-raising on a community levelregarding the importance of a community that giveswitness to its community life and that is open to be

experienced. b) Enableand coordinate the ele-ments that facilitate thepresentation of ourcharism. In addition toencouraging the voca-tion delegate in eachcommunity, theVocation and formationCommission takes con-crete steps to accom-plish this objective.Those programs alreadyrealized are: vocation

awareness days; shared living experiences andmeetings in coordination with the Youth MinistryCommission.

3. Is there some program in place with regard tothe Passionist Family (Passionist women reli-gious, Passionist laity) in your Province? Whatkind?

Yes. In the Plan of the province apostolate wepropose the following: "To continue to incorporatethe laity in the task of spreading the faith, beginningwith the Word of the Cross." From this point theCommission for the Apostolate and the individualcommunities of the Province have enabled groupsof the laity to have a sense of being Passionist.Together with them we are planning meetings on aprovincial and inter-provincial level, as well as forthe youth involved in the movement entitled "youthwith a single focus: Passionist", as well as foradults.

4. How do you envision this process ofRestructuring that the Congregation has under-taken as we move toward the General Chapter? Isit applicable in your Province? In what way?

I view it positively, keeping in mind that it is a"process". And I understand this as meaning a roadto undertake what is possible, but at the same timeit seeks pertinent information so that it may beassumed by everyone. Formation, availability anda generous spirit are the qualities which must nec-essarily move toward greater vitality in theCongregation. In order for this message to beapplied it must be understood by the majority of thereligious.

Fr. Eulogio Cordero, C.P. Provincial SANG

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THE ASIAN TSUNAMI

Fr. Jefferies Foale, C.P. General Consultor

Note: This article originally appearedin the publication entitled "Paspac", themagazine of the Passionist Asia-PacificRegion.

Day by day news reports arebringing the latest death tollfrom the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

This morning I heard them say 280,000;and it is still rising. In fact it is clear thatnobody will ever know the true total ofthe dead or measure the ruin of lives ofthe survivors. At first people could notbelieve what had happened. When wordreached Australia that a football star hadbeen swept away, the news report wasfollowed by the voices of his fellow ath-letes assuring us all that he had thestrength and spirit to over-come the rag-ing water and emerge unscathed. Soonenough everybody understood the basictruth that the force of nature is irre-sistible.

People everywhere are responding withamazing generosity to this disaster.There are stories of very poor people inChina making real sacrifices to helpthose in need, and of millionaires whohave dug deep for humanity. There is astory going around that the PassionistSisters in India simply gathered up alltheir resources and used the lot for thesuffering people. Worldwide, Caritas,the Catholic charity, alone has collectedfive hundred million dollars, alongsideother charities. The AustralianGovernment is spending at least one bil-lion. There is a fair hope that many ofthose who lived through the tsuna-mi will be able to survive as com-munities with the means to rebuildfor the future. This is a miracle ofhuman solidarity.

Some observers are helping usunderstand the situation by mak-ing useful comparisons. They takethe fact that over 50,000 children

were swept away in that moment, andplace it alongside another less visiblefact -- that more than half that numberof children dies every day from prevent-able causes relating to poverty andhunger. They look at the vast effort tobring relief to this one very visible situ-ation and to give the people there hopefor a future, and they ask, what aboutthe rest of the world that struggles dayafter day in similar distress? One thirdof humanity is permanently in a desper-ate situation not too different from thatof the tsunami survivors. Can't that toobe relieved? And of course, the answeris yes. All it takes is human solidarity.

All 191 member states of the UN havesigned up to the MillenniumDevelopment Goals. They have com-mitted themselves, at least on paper, tosolving the worst of this problem in tenyears, by 2015. By that year, if theykeep their promise, they will achievemajor steps along the way towards thefollowing: Eradicate extreme poverty,achieve universal primary education,promote gender equality and empowerwomen, reduce child mortality by twothirds, promote maternal health, combatHIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases,ensure environmental sustainability anddevelop a global partnership for devel-opment. The means are at hand toachieve all this in ten years.Unfortunately, the result is far fromassured while the world is distracted bywar and indulges in economic exploita-tion. Perhaps the Indian Ocean Tsunami

may have triggered a new awarenessthat will increase the resolve of peopleeverywhere to make peace and work forjustice.

As Passionists we cannot be idleobservers of this scene. Our callingplaces us in solidarity with the crucifiedof today. It is not enough to tell themthat Jesus loves them; even that he lovesthem enough to give all for them. Ourcalling compels us to stand in solidaritywith them in their struggle. A Passionistgives.

A tsunami is a wave. Usually there areseveral waves following each other. Thephenomenon is not unlike what happenswhen a child throws a pebble into a stillpond. The ripples move out in a circletill they break on the bank of the pond.A tsunami is created when there is ahuge release of energy in the depths ofthe ocean, perhaps from an earthquakeor a landslide. In the deep water far outat sea the waves may be kilometres longfrom one crest to the next, and veryshallow. Though they may move atmore than 600 kilometres per hour, theirpassage is almost imperceptible. Peopleon ships at sea during the recent tsuna-mi had no idea such a wave had passedbeneath them. But as the tsunamiapproaches shore, the wave motion isimpeded by the shallow water and itslows down. As the waves get shortertheir height increases. The huge volumeof water being displaced suddenlybecomes startlingly evident to those on

the shore, who have little time torun for their lives as it sweeps allbefore it.

I have chosen the title, "TheAsian Tsunami" for this reflec-tion in order to highlight the wayevents are unfolding in thisregion. Sometimes the mostpowerful forces in human socie-

Map showing the extent of the Tsunami

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ty operate at a great depth, with littleobvious change on the surface. So it isin Asia at a number of levels.

People remember the economic trans-formation of Japan which astonishedthe world in another generation. Latercame the "Little Tigers", as severalsmaller economies took off. Thesedevelopments even produced rippleson far-off western shores - "ripples".The world order was not disturbed.

Perhaps today the keenest observers inthe west may already be looking out tosea as another motion of the watersbegins to take shape in the form of theeconomic transformation of China andto a lesser but still very significantdegree of India. Whenthis wave crashes on theshore one day in thefuture it will not besmall. The economicbalance of the worldwill be transformed.

I turn now to someaspects of the spirituallandscape. The world's major reli-gions originated in Asia,Christianity included.Christianity came toIndia very early and toChina a little later.Though it did take rootin India it did not spread. Meanwhilethe Faith took root outside Asia, and inEurope it clothed itself fully in all thetextures of the western philosophicaland cultural inheritance. A hundredyears ago people in the west couldonly nod in agreement when HillaireBelloc said, "The Faith is Europe andEurope is the Faith". It was like a uni-verse unto itself. This self confidentand self absorbed Europe, armed withwave after wave of scientific and tech-nological innovation, found newworlds to conquer and possess. Thecolonial period saw most of theworld's nations subjugated byEuropean powers. Some colonialistswere driven by faith and a desire tospread the Gospel, most were drivenby greed, pride and power.Thus Christianity irrupted upon the

scene in Asia as a companion to colo-nialism. To this day the Church inmany parts of Asia remains an alienpresence in many ways. Even in com-munities with a long history, there is abig gap between the Church and theculture of society. Sometimes onesees signs of schizophrenia, as indi-viduals struggle with two identities,the Catholic self and (for instance) theIndian self. Often enough I have heardthe lament of those who strive to openthe Church to society as they are frus-trated by entrenched tradition or bythe long arm of the Vatican. Peopleare naturally attached to their ownroots and history, and if that includesbeing a Church that is over against

society and culture, they do not desireto change it. Indeed, why should they?

Change will come, but in another way.It is in the spiritual domain that Isense the most important waveapproaching. Somewhere very deep inAsia a consciousness may be surfac-ing that will indeed transform the sit-uation.

Since the time of Pope Paul VI's his-toric visit to Manila in 1975 the AsianBishops' Conferences have had aseries of dialogues. One constanttheme in their deliberations on theAsia and the Church in Asia has beenpoverty, indeed poverty and suffering.I have already mentioned the largeeconomic developments taking place,and I do anticipate they will manifestthemselves powerfully, but I do not

imagine for one moment that this willeliminate poverty and suffering inAsia. Quite the opposite, new wealthwill bring new inequalities and newforms suffering for masses of Asianpeople.

The transformation I dream of willinvolve the convergence of all thegreat spiritual traditions, Taoism,Buddhism, Hinduism, etc, and thereligions of the book, Judaism,Christianity and Islam, not leavingaside the surviving traditional cosmicreligiousness of many Asian peoples.I do not speak of a kind of syncretism,but of a new awareness in which fol-lowers of distinct traditions will joy-fully acknowledge one another and

honour the riches of all.

How will this comeabout?

Religion will flourishwhen it discovers oncemore its own roots. Weare with the poor man ofNazareth, and when welay aside our riches andpower, however smallthey may be, and cast ourlot with the poor, we willfind our true voice. Onthat day a tsunami willarise in the depth of theocean that will move out

in ever expanding circles with thepower to truly transform our lives andthe face of the Church.

Such a transformation is desperatelyneeded in every corner of the globe. Itis in Asia that the lines of it arealready discernible. The human soli-darity called forth by the IndianOcean Tsunami, is but a shadow of thepower of human solidarity whole-heartedly embraced in the spirit ofJesus by those who live by the powerof the Cross. Passionists will alwayscome to the aid of their Passionistbrothers and sisters in need. But farmore important is that all of us let goof what lifts us above our brothers andsisters in the flesh, the blessed poor ofour own societies.

The effects of the Tsunami

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PERMISSION TO LIVE

Fr. Robert Joerger, C.P. General Consultor

They told him he had six weeks to live.A malignant tumor had spread to hisliver. He was prepared. My father was

a man of deep faith. The hospice nurse toldme I needed to give my father permission todie. My words to him were terrible but tenta-tive, but he rescued me. "I'm going to missyou. I'll see your mother again." Then he said,"You do what you want with your life." I wentto give my father permission to die, and hegave me permission to live!

Permission to live. When I read the letters ofour Father and Founder, St. Paul of the Cross,it often occurs to me that he followed his owncharismatic inspiration wherever it led him.His own deep faith inspired him not only togather companions into a community commit-ted to the Cross, but also to endure in hope thesetbacks that are part of any new apostolicventure. And in the end he exhorted his broth-ers only "to love one another." Was he givingthem permission to move forward within thisfoundational impulse, to proclaim ChristCrucified and live as brothers, no matterwhere that life might take them as Paul let goof his own? If a father's love can so gift usin our individual lives, cannot a Founder'slove also gift a community in the very sameway?

I believe our own Father General did thesame for us in his presentation at our recentSynod in Rome, permitting the group tothink freely and creatively. Much of thesharing following this talk centered on thetheme of "hope". It will be important in thenext stage of this process to ask, "Whatspecifically makes us hopeful?" It couldvery well be the starting point of our dia-logues.

Some of the best viability studies of religiouslife that I have seen begin by testing theassumptions around religious life. They per-mit the religious to think freely and creatively.

For example, is there an assumption aboutPassionist community life, i.e., that there isonly one way of being a Passionist communi-ty? What if that one way is no longer life-giv-ing, or in fact, drains the energies of its mem-bers and the resources of the Province? Orwhat if a particular mission requires a differ-ent way of coming together? Must we alwayslive in the same physical space in order to bea community, or can we commit ourselves togathering "intentionally" at regular times forfaith-sharing, prayer, mutual support and ameal? Are there other models of common lifethat are supportive and nurturing while, at thesame time, allowing space and time for both aparticular mission to the Crucified and con-templation? Of course, these models arealready operative in many parts of theCongregation.

The cupola of the Chapel of St. Paul of the Cross, Rome

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“No set of goals and objectives includeseverything”

We can "test the assumptions" around ministryto the Crucified, how we govern ourselves,and how the laity are part of our charismaticmovement within the Church. Judged by oneset of assumptions our religious life might notseem "viable". Change the assumptions andour life together may take on a whole otherdimension of vitality.

My hope is that we will create the structureswe need to live out the values we mutuallyespouse, and to do a particular mission. Out ofthese dialogues may come new relationshipsand new missions. If restructuring is also"permission to live", then we need to allowpeople the freedom to create the structure theyneed and trust their integrity in doing so. Myguess is that whatever structures emerge, theywill come out of a shared ministry, even cross-ing international borders. We need not beginwith geographical amalgamations of struc-tures that might already have passed theirtime.

The prayer of Archbishop Oscar Romero,whose journey of faith brought him from beingan ecclesiastic to a prophet, might well be ourown:

It helps, now and then, to step backand take a long view.

The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts;it is even beyond our vision.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fractionof the magnificent enterprise that is God's work.Nothing we do is complete, which is a way of sayingthat the Kingdom always lies beyond us.No statement says all that could be said.No prayer fully expresses our faith.No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness.No program accomplishes the Church's mission.No set of goals and objectives includes everything.

This is what we are about.We plant the seeds that one day will grow.We water seeds already planted.Knowing that they hold future promise.

We lay foundations that will need further development.We provide yeast that produces far beyond our capabilities.

We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberationin realizing that. This enables us to do something.And to do it very well. I may be incomplete,But this is a beginning, a step along the way,An opportunity for the Lord's grace to enter and do the rest.

We may never see end results, but that is the differenceBetween the master builder and the worker.

We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.We are prophets of a future not our own.Amen.

Archbishop Oscar Romero

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THE PASSIONISTPRESENCE IN BETHANY

Fr. Luigi Vaninetti, C.P. General Consultor

The "pilgrim" who goes down to Jerichofrom Jerusalem passes through the KedronValley, with Gethsemane on the left and

comes out onto mount ofthe "scandal" (Ras alAmud) with the largeJewish cemetery on eitherside. From this height,directly ahead, there is alarge area of cypress andmaritime pine trees. In themidst of this green mass thesmall bell tower of thechurch of St. Marthaappears. Along side it is animpressive structure com-posed of local rock: theretreat of the Passionistreligious dating to 1903. In2003 we celebrated thecentenary of our presencein the community of theHoly Land.

Some history…(We are grateful to Fr. Giuseppe Martinelli forthese historical notes and for his intervention atthe last General Synod of the Congregationregarding our community of Bethany.)

Following the decree of the suppression ofreligious orders issued by the French government,in May 1903, a group of 12 Passionist religiousheaded by Fr. J. Charles de Pichard, a formermember of the General Curia, landed at the portof Haifa. The first group of religious arrived inthe Holy Land after surmounting several sizableobstacles, without a house, nor protection nor anytype of security. They were the guests of theAssumptionists while they searched for and founda small building in Bethany, formerly belongingto an Institute of French Sisters and not yet com-pleted. In 1905 Brother Albert, a Belgian, arrivedin Bethany and for thirty years he served as theinfirmarian for the benefit of the Arab population.He subsequently became well known not only as

a great doctor but also as a miracle worker. Fr.Charles, who died at the age of 83, ten years afterhis arrival in Palestine, greatly desired to go and

live there, above all, to benear the places of thePassion of the Lord. ThePassionists would alsoencounter the passion andsuffering in the people theyserve and throughout thehistory of our presence inBethany -- a presence thatwould be marked by sorrowdue to painful and seriousevents such as wars. It isalso a presence that is char-acterized by the testimonyof lives spent in contempla-tion and in solidarity.

From the beginning wecan say that the house wasfounded and re-foundedvarious times in the courseof its history, passing from

the rule of the Turks, to the British protectorate, toJordanian rule and finally, after 1967, to Israelirule.

During World War I the house was closed andwas looted. In the years 1919-22 the so-calledfirst re-foundation took place with the return ofFrench Passionists and the initial presence ofyoung American Passionists who studied at theEcole Biblique of the Dominicans. During WorldWar II and immediately afterward, the house wasoccupied by a group of Polish military personnelfrom Russia and then, because of local fighting,the house was inhabited by Palestinian refugees(1946-1950).

It was during the second re-foundation (1950-1967) that the house was placed directly under theSuperior General and became a type of pilgrimcenter, a part of the local church. It was also re-established as a center for welcoming our reli-gious, especially for the purpose of biblical stud-ies.

Fr. Charles de Pichard, founder of the Mission

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Beginning in 1968, following the second Arab-Israeli war and the closing of the borders (1967),the Superior General entrusted the house to theCORM Province of Northern Italy.

Some speak of a third re-founding of the house ofBethany: its becoming a house of formation andstudies for Passionist students, as well as a centerfor guided experiences in the Holy Land and forgroups interested in on-going Biblical studies andexperiences within the context of the Holy Land.There are moments of political calm and momentsof tension and conflict such as the "intifada" thatclimaxed in the construction of a dividing wallbetween the Jews and the Palestinians that cutsdirectly through our garden.And now…

On 24 June 2004, Fr. General wrote to theMajor Superiors of the Congregation to informthem that the CORM Province had decided torelinquish the house in Bethany to the GeneralCuria since it could no longer guarantee aPassionist presence, the result of a re-organizationof the Province itself.

While we thank the CORM Province for 36years of uninterrupted and dedicated presence inthe Holy Land at the service of the local Church,the Province and the Congregation, we now won-der whether the presence of Passionists in the landof Jesus is a good for the entire Congregation anda place that can also be significant for the forma-tion of our Religious and therefore, somethingthat should continue to exist.

Fr. General stated: "For these reasons and tobe able to proceed, as far as possible, toward a

consensus of opinion in order to study new possi-bilities that would be in harmony with the newperspectives of the Restructuring of theCongregation that are currently being addressed,we are asking you to offer your opinions and rec-ommendations regarding this matter. How shouldwe proceed with regard to the future of the houseof Bethany? Should it again be entrusted to a sin-gle province or should an international communi-ty be created? Are there any other kinds of pres-ence or collaboration that should be considered?What specific initiatives should be taken into con-sideration and evaluated?"

In September 2004, Fr. Gianni Sgreva, C.P.was appointed the superior of the community inorder to oversee the house and to study possibili-ties for developing pastoral ministry within thatcontext and that reality. Some additionalPassionist religious have agreed to share this min-istry for limited time periods. Even in recenttimes, our presence in Bethany continues to bemarked by "suffering" and difficulties due to theserious political, social and religious situations.

Shortly after his arrival Fr. Gianni wrote:"Here the situation of the house in the midst of anoccupied land, inhabited not by hundreds, but bythousands of Palestinians, worsens day by day.On Sunday afternoon, 7 November, the Israelisbegan to construct a wall in the street which facesour property and which abuts the property of theComboni Sisters (who are now in Palestinian ter-ritory). The following day the Arabs made a largeopening in the wall that surrounds our property.As if this were not enough, in the remainder of thewall, not far from our gate, they removed the

fence…and therefore every-thing is open to everyone…At this moment, in the regionof Bethany-Abu Dis, ourcourtyard and property is theonly passage way for thePalestinians who come andgo from Jerusalem, the onlyopening in the wall thatdivides the two peoples…"

It is precisely this last phrase,that of being "the only open-ing in the wall that dividesthe two peoples…" that suc-cinctly describes the plan ofour future presence in theHoly Land.

Bro. Alberto visiting the sick in Bethany

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The house consists of about twenty roomswith private bathrooms. Presently there are twoPassionists permanently in residence: Fr. GianniSgreva and Fr. Juan Llorente (FAM) (the GeneralArchivist of the Congregation until severalmonths ago), as well as several lay people whospend short and medium-length periods of timethere, sharing in the life of the community.

Future plans?Based on the responses to the letter of Fr.

General, there is a consensus that we retain apresence in Bethany, a presence that shoulddevelop in a project for the well-being and thepeace of this wounded and divided people thatinhabit the land of Jesus, as well as for the localChurch, the Mother Church of Jerusalem, for theMiddle East, for our Passionist Congregation inits geographic and cultural entirety, and extendedto all the members of the Passionist family (menand women religious, Passionist nuns and Sisters,and laity).

The suggestions that have been offeredaddress the situation of that land which is cur-rently experiencing the Passion of Jesus as playedout in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, on the roadthat descends from Jerusalem to Jericho.Precisely at the gate of the house there are exam-ples of this conflict. Therefore it is important tomaintain a presence that is characterized by peaceand communion with the local people, by meansof personal dialogue and various small projects.

Attention also needs to be given to the Churchof Jerusalem, the Mother Church of all Churches,which welcomes the Passionists and offers themthe opportunity to keep alive the memory of thePassion, Death and Resurrection ofthe Lord that took place in Jerusalem,and which extends to this very day.

It is important that the religious ofthe local community have knowledgeof or are willing to undertake learningArabic and Hebrew, at least on a basiclevel and, as a common language incommunity, have an adequate knowl-edge of English. Treasures to bereceived and offered, in addition toEcumenical ventures, would not onlybe knowledge of other faiths,Churches and Christian rites, but alsogreater understanding of Judaism andIslam.

With a little bit of imagination we might thinkof Bethany as a community that, in collaborationwith others, has the possibility of becoming aninternational center for formation and the renew-al of the charism of the Memoria Passionis for thePassionist religious and for the Passionist family(religious, Passio-nist nuns and Sisters, laity) inkeeping with the restructuring of the entireCongrega-tion, so that "there might be a greaterflow of life from one part of the Congregation toanother", and that there be greater spiritual andcultural growth as a result of "thinking more as aCongregation and less as a Province."

The scope is that of seeing the Congregationof the Passion within a global vision which, whiledeepening and promoting unity, values and pro-motes the richness of diversity. In this way wecan discover the unity of one charism and the soletheology and spirituality of the charism of thePassion even amidst the diversity of expressionsand within the wealth of specific geographic andcultural expressions. Thus, the possibilities thatare being considered for the renewal of Bethanyare international as much as the Congregation isinternational in its geography and culture.

It's a dream! But we have sought and havebeen given permission to dream of theCongregation of the future in this phase ofRestructuring in which we are presentlyinvolved: "the reformulation today of ourPassionist vision for the world of tomorrow forthe purpose of addressing the changes that Godhas placed before us." (Commencement Letter ofFr. General, 20 March 2005)

We are seeking religious who are willing tomake this dream a reality!

Israeli wall dividing our monastery garden

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During the period of December 2004 to May 2005, therehas been an intense level of activity in the GeneralCouncil. Below is a synthesis of the most noteworthyaspects of the work:

- the visits of the Superior General and the celebra-tions of Chapters and Congresses;

- the visits of the individual Consultors to their areasof responsibility and their participation in various meet-ings;

- official Consulta meetings dealing with variousissues of importance concerning the governing of theCongregation, according to prearranged dates;

- minor consultas dealing with urgent matters,together with the Council, although not necessarily withall of its members present.

There were three official Consultas: 12-16December 2004, in Rome; 21-26 February 2005 inRome; 12, 16-19 May in Kenya. In addition to thesethere were also numerous mini-consultas to deal withmore urgent matters.

The Restructuring of the CongregationThe main topic of the

three Consultas was that ofthe Restructuring of theCongregation, as mandatedby the Synod and assigned tothe General Council with a"Recommendation" (seeRestructuring, p. 32).

During the month ofDecember 2004 the GeneralCouncil reviewed the work ofthe Synod which revealed

many positive aspects as well as citing several aspectsthat need to be improved. Therefore addressing the taskof the "Recommendations" of the Synod itself, theGeneral Council made several decisions regardingRestructuring.

The Council was in unanimous agreement aboutissuing the Superior General's "Commencement Letter"of the process of Restructuring as a way of making theentire Congregation aware of this reality. It is clearlystated in the letter that by "Restructuring" we mean: theneed in the Congregation to discover new ways of beingand acting as Passionists in the Church and in today'sworld beginning with our Identity, the "MemoriaPassionis" and its implementation; the Mission; theurgency of inculturation in a globalized world.Additionally several phases of the development of thisprocess were also addressed.

At the end of this extended sharing of insights andopinions, a Restructuring Commission was named forthe purpose of assisting the General Council in develop-ing a process to initiate and guide the Restructuring ofthe Congregation. The members of this Commission

are: Fr. Denis Travers, SPIRProvincial; Fr. NicholasPostlethwaite, IOS Provincial;Fr. Adolfo Lippi, PRAESProvincial. These religioushave accepted this responsibil-ity.

Convinced of the fact thatinformation about the Synodand its decisions for all thereligious is a given essentialfor the commencement of

General Consulta in Kenya

TOWARD THE FUTUREWITH HOPE-FILLED HEARTS

Fr. Floriano De Fabiis, C.P.Secretary General

Editors' Note: On January 15, 2005, Fr. Ottaviano D'Egidio, Superior General, announced the appointmentof Fr. Floriano De Fabiis (PIET) as Secretary General of the Congregation. For many years the assignmentsof General Secretary and General Procurator were held by one person, Fr. Umberto Palmerini. Due to Fr.Umberto's health condition, Fr. Ottaviano D'Egidio and his General Council have decided to separate thetwo offices. The General has appointed Fr. Floriano as General Secretary, while Fr. Umberto Palmerini willcontinue to serve as Procurator General.

The ministry of the General Secretary is described in Nº 89 of the General Regulations: "The SecretaryGeneral dispatches the business of the General Government as secretary to the General Council, as chan-cellor in drawing up decrees and rescripts, as moderator of the statistical and administrative archives, andas notary for the Congregation." He has likewise been entrusted with the responsibility – with the assistanceof his collaborators – of editing and publishing the Passionist International Bulletin, as well as overseeingthe Information Office of the Congregation.

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Restructuring, the Council decided to print two booklets:"Part I - ACTS" of the Synod for the communities andthe archives, and "Part II - Restructuring" for the indi-vidual religious.Furthermore, during this Consulta, the situation of thenew SALV Vice-Province was analyzed (DemocraticRepublic of the Congo) and a plan to sustain and guidethe young Vice-Province in the beginning of its exis-tence was studied and initiated. This was done especial-ly in preparation for its first Congress.

The Consulta of 21-26 February 2005The General Council dedicated part of its Consulta to

meeting with the Restructuring Commission. TheSuperior General named Fr. Nicholas as President of theCommission. Then he also named Fr. Elie Muakasa(SALV) as secretary of the Commission with the maintask of organizing communications and enabling anexchange of material that will arrive from various partsof the Congregation.

The Superior General delineated the fundamentaltask of the Commission as that of helping the GeneralCouncil in the process of Restructuring. There was along, detailed discussion to define the role of theCommission, in particular regarding the following areas:Focus the Congregation on the need for Restructuring,which is a process of re-vitalization; Delineate means ofRestructuring; prepare a feasible project forRestructuring and its phases; Name viable means fordialog between the various areas of the Congregation; Assist the Congregation to overcome any resistance thatmay emerge with regard to Restructuring: reservations,fears and objections.

It is the responsibility of the General Council toguide the process of Restructuring. Additionally, a time-line for the next eight years of the process was prepared.During the next two years the Congregation must begiven the opportunity to reflect on the main question:What image do we have of the Congregation today andhow do we envision it to be in the future? The Chapterof 2006 must confirm this process.

The Council agrees with the profound spiritual andinstitutional meaning of such a process as well as itsurgency: the Superior General "calls" (in the Biblicalsense) the Congregation to this process in preparationfor the Chapter of 2006. It should be like the call of theHoly Father, John Paul II, at the beginning of the thirdmillennium. Faith alone will help us to confront fear ofthe unknown, when we sense that it is God who is call-ing us through various means. "This process, the fruit ofreflection, dialogue and prayer is necessary if we wish tooffer a particular style of Passionist life as a model forthe future." Structures and their implementation willfollow upon this vision.

In this perspective the role of the Moderator of theGeneral Chapter will have a unique importance and con-sequently we must work at naming those qualities that

this person should possess. He should be an expert inRestructuring, a helper and not an architect of the proj-ect that we are trying to realize. The moderator must bethe one to guide the work, however Restructuring mustbe born of reflection on our life, our spirituality and ourtradition and should be elaborated in our plan for thefuture.

The Consulta of 12, 16-18 May in KenyaThe third Consulta took place in Kenya, in the new

house of the CARLW Vicariate in the city of Molo.Although it is situated at the Equator, it is at an altitudeof 2,500 Meters, and consequently, more than heat theclimate is quite cool.

The Consulta was preceded by meetings with theGeneral Council and the various elements of theConference of Africa Passionists (CPA): the formationpersonnel, the administrators and economes of theVicariates, the Major Superiors. It was a very rewardingand interesting experience for the General Council aswell as for the various local entities.

The General Council, after having dealt with the var-ious issues concerning the government of theCongregation, met with the Commission forRestructuring and, together, planned the steps to betaken in the near future. Questions were prepared for theCongregation during the second phase; they will be sentto the Provincial Councils, the Vice-Provincials and theVicariates, as well as to individual communities. Threekey questions were elaborated regarding the Charism,Presence and Mission. Naturally this is not a sociologi-cal study; rather it is a means of reflection for theCongregation. The questions will not deal with concreteaspects, but will be focused on the future. In order toinvolve the Congregation it is necessary to contact allthe religious, therefore the letter will be personalized.The religious must meet as a community and the replymust be made as a community; however it is also possi-ble to respond on a personal level.

This is the first phase of the process and its purposeis to gather reflections about the future of theCongregation in order to move on to the second phasewhen we delineate how to restructure the Congregation.Thirteen religious have already been consulted; now allthe communities and the individual religious will beinvolved and shortly the Regional Conferences will alsobe part of the process. All of this will also serve aspreparation for the General Chapter.

The upcoming meetings between the GeneralCouncil and the Restructuring Commission are as fol-lows: in Australia, 13-14 September 2005 and Rome, 5-6 December 2005.

Thus the Consulta in Africa was concluded. Earlythe next morning, the Council departed for Kanrungu(on Lake Victoria) to participate in the priestly ordina-tion of three Passionists of Kenya: Frs. Andrei Okeyo,Paul Mbugua and Evans Fwamba.

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THE MISSIONARY LEGACYOF POPE JOHN PAUL II

Christopher Gibson, C.P.Secretary General of the Missions

Not too long ago Romewas overflowing with peoplefrom all over the world to sayfarewell to Pope John Paul IIwho had become such aprominent world figure. Itwas significant to note thatamong the crowds were manyyoung people and many cur-rent and former world lead-ers. I would like to take thisoccasion to reflect on the mis-sionary dimension of hisreign that contributed muchto what we have experiencedthrough him. This can givemuch food for thought in ourown missionary outreach toothers.

1. JP II was a man who hada deep personal relationshipwith Christ. I have no doubtthat the strength and staminaof this pontiff to accomplishall that he did even in themidst of great physical hard-ships came from his personalrelationship with Christ. It isthis relationship thatlaunched him to reach out totry to make a difference onthe world stage of his timeguided by the Gospel valueshe treasured.

2. Mission for him was notonly writing and preaching,which he did in abundance,but also taking direct action

in addressing the problemati-cal issues of his day and mak-ing a difference in doing so.We can all think of examplesof this, which have beentreated profusely in the massmedia in recent times.

3. In responding to issuesthat needed addressing, hetook risks. Towards the verybeginning of his pontificatehe accepted to take on themediation between Argentinaand Chile over their mutualclaim to the Beagle islandswhich could have led to a lotof bloodshed. Four years ofnegotiation between the twocountries through the pope'senvoy led to an agreementbetween the two countries.Not only was there the risk ofmediating between twoCatholic countries, but it alsowas a wonderful example forthe world to seethat differencesbetween countriesor differing par-ties can be solvedthrough peacefulmeans. But takingrisks can also leadto making mis-takes. I, alongwith many othersbelieve he didmake mistakes.So it was since the

beginning with Peter. BothChrist and St. Paul highlight-ed that. Even great peoplehave their limitations. Toexpect the contrary would beunrealistic.

4. We also see in theabove-mentioned matter,John Paul II's desire for unityand peace that he fosteredbetween nations and diversereligious groups. This is cen-tral to mission.

5. However unity doesn'tpresuppose compromisinggospel truths. He was fullyaware that what he said or didwould not please everyone.On one of his visits to the UShe quoted the apostle St. Paulregarding preaching in seasonand out of season. The impor-tant thing for him was topreach the gospel message of

John Paul II - Good Friday 2005

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Christ and not cater to what others wantedto hear even with issues that were more'democratically' acceptable by others.

6. John Paul II preached an incarnatedword. He put into practice what John XXIIItaught us: to have one hand placed on theheart of God and the other on earth. Thecombination leads to reading the signs ofour times and addressing them from a per-spective that is not of this world whileremaining with our feet well planted in thisworld. It's a difficult choice but the onlymessage that can be yeast in the dough.Part of this incarnational process presup-poses an inculturated one. It also presup-poses an outward looking attitude thataddresses serious issues of our time espe-cially issues of Justice and Peace and theIntegrity of Creation (JPIC). Our very exis-tence as a human family as a Church and asPassionists depends on how vividly wekeep before us these issues and commitourselves to them. It's also vital that wedon't loose sight of this as we face therestructuring of our Congregation.

7. John Paul II reached out to others anddidn't simply wait for them to come to him.This is important to mission.

8. He preached not only in words but with hisperson. That's part of every Christian's respon-sibility: to be an extension of Christ who notonly preached the Word but was the Word forothers. John Paul was aware that he had a mes-sage to give not only when he was young andstrong and preaching to the crowds, but whenhe was old and infirm and in the way he died;that was part of the message.

8. John Paul II knew how to make use of themass media. While we Catholics have beenslow in making use of mass media, we areslowly using it more. Think how many mil-lions for instance were able to partake inJohn Paul II's funeral thanks to the massmedia, even within Rome itself: peoplecould even receive communion at theappropriate time in different sections of thecity as they participated in the funeral withthe help of large screens.

I hope these insights are as helpful to you asthey have been for me.

John Paul II - Visit to Mexico

“Do not beafraid toopen thedoors toChrist”

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A SPECIAL PASSIONIST APOSTOLATEIN THE PRISONS OF ROME DURING

THE 18TH CENTURY

Fr. Fabiano Giorgini, C.P. Fr. Paulino Alonso, C.P.

The Roman prisons of the 18th century were char-acterized by good, stable organization thanks tovarious state institutions and to Christian confra-ternities who offered material and spiritual assis-tance to the incarcerated. Those in charge of pas-toral ministry frequently chose the Passionists asretreat preachers.

The Superiors General chose these religiousfrom the Roman communities of Sts. John andPaul and the Scala Santa. There were almostalways two priests - sometimes four -- each des-ignated to different groups and different places.When necessary, confessors were also added.Usually they preached twice a day: a meditationon the Passion and then some kind of catechesis.The Passionists were always aware that their min-istry was in collaboration with the prison ministryand they sought to offer to the detainees the mostconvenient means for doing penance and forreturning to a moral and Christian lifestyle.Encouraging all to go to Confession andCommunion was the ultimate goal and the criteriafor measuring the successfulness of the retreat.

The Hospice of "San Michele A Ripa"The Hospice of St. Michael, which during the

1800's encompassed four branches: elderly men,elderly women, boys and girls, was established on20 May 1693 and was located in theTrastevere section of Rome near thecentral banks of the Tiber River,called the "Ripagrande". In 1703,Pope Clement XI instituted a refor-matory facility to correct the vices ofunderage offenders and for thosefound guilty of petty crimes. It wascalled: "St. Michael's for delin-quents". Pope Clement XII (1730-1740) erected a correctional facilityfor women involved in prostitution towhich were also added those whowere found guilty of crimes againstthe common good. Pius VIII (1829-1830) used the buildings provided by

Clement XI and Clement XII to form a singleinstitution for incarcerated women called the "St.Michael's House for the guilty" . Sometimes thenumber in this facility reached 250 and they weredivided into three classes: those who had commit-ted crimes against the common good, those whowere first-time offenders and those who werehabitual offenders.

A pious union of priests, founded in 1838, wasentrusted with the pastoral care of the entireestablishment. A prelate, the "chierico di camera",possessing all the necessary and opportune facul-ties, directed the spiritual dimension of the estab-lishment and also cared for material matters. Oneof these prelates was the future Pope Pius IX. Thehospice was declared a parish by Leo XII (1823-1829).

In addition to the apostolic ministry undertak-en by the Passionists on behalf of groups of eld-erly men and women, boys and girls from 1840 to1886 there were also four triduums and fourretreats that were preached to those sentenced,including eight retreats to young men and fourretreats to young women.

The New PrisonsThe massive edifice of the New Prisons, found

on Via Giulia, also called the "innocenziane"because they were begun byInnocent X (1644-1655), werepraised for their consistency, securi-ty and internal order. In 1828, theyoung men and under-age boys thatwere found guilty or in need of dis-ciplinary attention were transferredby Leo XII to the hospice of St.Michael.

From 1854 to 1890 the Passionistspreached 19 week-long retreats inthe prisons and four three-dayretreats. During the years 1860-1861 Fr. Pio Cayro, GeneralConsultor, preached on various

Ven. Fr. Norberto Cassinelli, C.P.

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Sundays to those in solitary confinement, i.e.those in small cells with little lighting. Duringsome years all would receive the sacraments.In 1854 the Passionists preached retreats last-ing three days to incarcerated politicians, andabout 150 went toConfession andCommunion. In1855 there was "ageneral Com-munion by every-one". In 1864 thetwo preachersremained for dinnerin the convent ofSt. Gerolamo dellaCarità. In 1886,although thea d m i n i s t r a t o r sthemselves werebeing investigated,and were thereforeuncertain and agi-tated about the sentence of the court, neverthe-less many went to Confession andCommunion.

Life-sentence PrisonsIn this center, called the "Beneficenza",

there were homeless young men, boys,orphans, unmarried women and older women;however we are concerned with the incarcerat-ed. During the years 1849-1850 the Passionistspreached retreats to those who had receivedlife sentences. The three preachers, Frs.Emidio Cherli (1813-1873), SistoTedeschi(1813-1874) and Pio Cayro (1800-1864) testi-fied that those emprisioned listened attentivelyto the preaching and to the catechesis andalmost all of them went to Confession andCommunion.

Prisions for young offenders of SantaBalbina and other prisons

During the years 1854-1906 the Passionistspreached at least 15 retreats to under-ageoffenders in the prison of Santa Balbina.Along with their meditations and catechesisthe Passionists added material on the Passionand in 1854, all went to Confession andCommunion. In 1860 the preachers experi-enced a particular grace. The Passioists

preached on two occasions in the prisons onVia Altieri: in 1883 when the preacher was theVen. Norberto Cassinelli (1829-1911) and theother in 1890. The Passionists preached fourretreats to the prisons at Castel Sant'Angelo.

In 1828 Frs.Franceso MariaStocchi (1776-1832) and BlessedLorenzo MariaSalvi (1782-1856)preached retreats atwhich all went toConfession andArchbishop Soglia,elimosinary of theHoly See, gaveCommunion to 209.During the retreat of1830 one of the mis-sionaries wasBlessed DominicBarberi (1792-

1849) and in 1837 the preacher was theConsultor, Fr.Bartolomeo Arnaldi (1776-1856). In 1897 two retreats were preached,one for women and one for men. It should alsobe noted that preaching was done in the hos-pice of the Madonna del Rifugio in the com-plex of St. Onofrio were there were some pri-sioners.

The complex of the Hospice of San Michele

Blessed Lorenzo Maria Salvi, C.P.

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The Preachers

Among the thirty or so mis-sionaries who were assignedto one of the prisons, we findthe following listing: Fr.Diego Alberici (1846-1904),co-founder of the Daughtersof the Passion, (MexicanSisters); Fr. Giuliano Brezzo(1816-1884), assiduous mis-sionary; Fr. Stanislao Cerri(1841-1901), and Fr. EmidioCherli (1813-1873), GeneralConsultor and much sought-after missionary; Fr. GiuseppeMaria Falco (1817-1886),Fr.Roberto Torraca (1806-1880), the rector of Sts. Johnand Paul; Fr. Raimondo

Vaccari (1804-1864), who in1842 was assigned by Fr.Antonio Testa to the missionsin Australia as ApostolicPrefect; Fr.Vincenzo Grotti(1820-1883), Provincial ofSt. Joseph's (England) andProcurator General, andVenerable Norberto Cassinelli(1829-1911), the Director ofSt. Gabriel. In 1886, Fr.Norberto, then GeneralConsultor, preached in theprison of St. Michael a Ripaand realized that, during theinauguration of the Reign ofItaly, the religious did not par-ticipate, not even at Easter. Soin addition to retreats, he tookit upon himself to explain the

Faith and to refute the errorsthat they had been taught.The dedication of all thesereligious in serving theirimpoverished brothers andsisters is truly admirable.Even those preachers whowere in demand and who werevery capable, voluntarilyundertook this apostolic min-istry. Thus we have someinsight into how they trulyunderstood their vocation asmissionaries and of the valueof communal, apostolic min-istry.

The interior of the prison for juvenile offenders

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CONCERNING THE DISCIPLINEOF THE CULT OF RELICS

Fr. Giovanni Zubiani, C.P.Postulator General

At this point in time in which the return to theveneration of the Relics of Saints and Beatiare confused with the collection of the same

and, at times gives way to motives that are far fromdevotion, in this article I hope to offer a short excur-sus to help to shed some light on the need for pru-dence in using these objects and to urge the obser-vance of the Law of the Church in this matter. Itwould seem that this is necessary in light of theappearance of relics of our saints in places that sellreligious articles and which are not prepared by thePostulator General, but which, none-the-less bearthe "de visu" unauthentic, and therefore false,Passionist seal in wax on relics of various of oursaints. These are sometimes found in the sacristiesof our Passionist nuns and Sisters and bear forgedseals, despite the protests of some Postulators, andother individuals, which go against a sense of hon-esty and propriety that one would suppose exists inour houses.

In particular we wish to restate that relics, andeven more so the bodies of the Saints and Beati, donot belong to individuals or to religious Orders,Congregations or Dioceses, but to the Church,which oversees, in the person of the SupremePontiff through the Congregation for the Causes ofSaints, the proper use of the these mate-rials.

We also point out that with the Codeof Canon Law of 1983, the very preciselegislation that was found in the Codeof 1971 regarding the discipline of thecult of relics has been abbreviated.However, if that which was described indetail as normative has been eliminated,there is still exists in the present codeelements that have been restated fromthe preceding norms. And as such Can.19 of the 1983 text, in the case of theabsence of "express prescription of law"it states that "the jurisprudence and thepraxis of the Roman Curia, and thecommon and constant opinion oflearned persons" should be employed.It is this praxis that is applied and it isthis praxis that is followed by the postu-

lators and which is permitted by the Congregationfor the Causes of the Saints.

Therefore it is necessary to return to the applica-tion of that legislation that is recognized and usedby the Congregation for the Causes of the Saints,the particular legislation that is not found in thepresent Code of Canon Law, and which, however, isalready contained in the Code of 1917 and which isreferred to in an article by Cardinal Palazzini, thePrefect of this Congregation, in which he states: (1),"Regarding the norms provided for the discipline ofthe cult of relics: Any unofficial (not-formally rec-ognized) relic, old or recent, whether of canonizedor beatified saints, or of those who died in odor ofsanctity, even if the relic is not officially recognizedand approved, may be venerated privately. (…)unofficial relics worthy of the same honor may beretained in privates homes or carried by the faithful(can. 1282 § I). This is not the case with legitimaterelics of the saints and beati, except with the per-mission of the Ordinary of the locale (can. 1282 §I). (2) In order for relics to be used in public wor-ship prior ecclesiastical authorization is alwaysrequired, by which a decision is made regarding theauthenticity of the relic that is being displayed forpublic veneration.

Authentics documentation and relic with wax seal

The Curia Informs

22

Consequently, (a) during public worship in pub-lic churches and oratories, even those currentlyexisting, only those relics that are designated asgenuine or which are accompanied by the docu-ment of authentication by a cardinal, the localOrdinary (excluding the vicar general, exceptwith a special mandate) or of some ecclesiasticalauthority who posses the faculty to authenticateby means of an apostolic indult (.e.g. thePostulators general; can. 1283, §§ I-2). (b) Theapprobation of the local Ordinary should begiven according to the spirit of the TridentineCouncil, i.e. the Ordinary will make his owndeliberations, after having consulted with theolo-gians and prudent advisors, and as always, guid-ed by the criteria of truth and piety. In dubiouscases, prior to resolving any controversy, theOrdinary will listen to the decision of theMetropolitan and of the bishops of the provincein the Provincial Council. Where this not possi-ble, recourse to the Holy See should be sought(Tridentine Council, sess. XXV; AAS, 18 (1926),p. 262. (c) When previously approved relics forpublic veneration are transferred to another dio-cese, the verification of the local Ordinary shouldbe sought not for a new approval but so that he isaware of an approbation that was previouslygiven; and then he will give authorization for theexposition of thesame in worship.(d) The localOrdinaries willprudently removefrom worship anyrelic which theyknow with cer-tainty is notauthentic (can.1284). (e) Relics,whose authenticshave been lost,should not be pub-licly displayedexcept followinga decision of thelocal Ordinary,excepting the vicar general not in possession of aspecial mandate (can. 1285 § I). (f) Nevertheless,antique relics may be venerated in worship asthey have been in the past, unless by means ofconvincing argumentation they are deemed to bebogus or altered (can. 1285 § 2). (g) Whoeverconsciously confects or sells false relics ipsofacto incurs excommunication reserved to the

Ordinary (can. 1326). The reason for this severesentence on behalf of the Church is to precludeignorance, lucrative enterprises and superstitiousfaith that this very delicate matter may cause."1

Given the current practice, one can also objectciting the that the Council of Trent belongs to thedistant past and that the legislation of the Code of1917, from which the norms come that were citedabove, in no longer in use and which was super-seded as is stated in the Preface to the 1983 Code,where there can be found the following interest-ing lines: "When the meeting of this group tookplace at the beginning of month of April 1968,there was general agreement concerning thenecessity to not include in the new Code any lawsconcerning the liturgy, or norms concerning theprocesses of beatification and canonization, ornorms concerning relationships of the Church adextra."2

The exclusion of norms concerning Causes ofBeatification from the Code of 1983 requires anew ad hoc legislation which is found in theApostolic Constitution of 1983 DivinusPerfectionis Magister, and in the Norme dellaCongregazione delle Cause dei Santi approvedand ratified again by the Pope in 1983 throughthe office of the then Prefect, Cardinal Palazziniwho basically, in the case of relics, restates: "To

the sameCongregation (ofthe Causes ofSaints) is left thedecision regardingall matters con-cerning theauthenticity andthe conservationof relics."3

_____________________

1. P. PALAZZINI, Reliquie, Enciclopedia Cattolica, X, 758-759.2. ENCHIRIDION VATICANUM 8, CODICE DI DIRITTO CANONICO

promulgato da S. S. Giovanni Paolo II, Prefazione, p. 39.3. ENCHIRIDION VATICANUM 8, DIVINUS PERFECTIONIS MAG-

ISTER, Titolo II, art. 3. Cfr. REGOLAMENTO DELLA S. CON-GREGAZIONE PER LE CAUSE DEI SANTI, Titolo I, art. 1, pp. 467-499 e in Appendice a R. RODRIGO, Manuale delle Cause diBeatificazione e Canonizzazione, Roma 2004, pp. 378-490.

Relics prepared by the General Postulation

The Curia Informs

23

Given that "the causes of the canonization of theservants of God are regulated by special pontificallaw" (CIC 1983, can 1403 §1), which is not insert-ed in the new code of 1983, if not for those dispo-sitions that refer to universal law, not containinganything contrary to the new Code, we can there-fore conclude that there is nothing that was statedby Cardinal Palazzini has been modified, exceptfor the norm 2g concerning the excommunicationreserved to the ordinary - no longer in force - butwhich, however, still prohibits the confection anddistribution of false relics By "false" I think itwould be good to clarify that by this is meant notonly the supposed authenticity of the particle, butalso the use of false seals and authentics, so thatthe veracity of a relic is not compromised by itsresemblance to authentic seals, but by authority toissue decrees of authenticity, without which, a fal-lacy is created by which one is morally responsi-ble.

One recent example that illustrates the particu-lar law cited above was the peregrination of theurn containing the remains of the Founder at theProvincialate of the Passionist Sisters of St. Paulof the Cross in Ciampino, at the end of March2004. Under my direction, the nulla osta wasrequested from the bishop where therelics were located, i.e. the CardinalVicar of Rome, and from the bishopof the place where the urn would bebrought in pilgrimage, i.e. the bish-op of Albano. The two documents,together with the request of thePostulator, were sent to the HolySee, i.e. to the Congregation for theCauses of Saints. This Congregationissued an Istructio directed to boththe local Ordinaries, requestingfrom the first one that a tribunal becomposed consisting of theDelegate, the Promotor and aNotary to verify the seals and toprepare the urn, properly sealed, forthe pilgrimage; the second, thereceiving Ordinary, was requestedto inspect the integrity of the sealsupon arrival so as to permit venera-tion. When the urn was returned toRome, again the Tribunal of theVicariate had to verify the sealsaffixed by the Episcopal Delegateand the placement of the remain ofSt. Paul of the Cross under the altar.

The final seals of the Vicariate closed the encase-ment that sealed the tomb. With the reports ofthose that accompanied the relics - the MotherProvincial and the two bishops, a folder was pre-pared and was sent to the Holy See which is theultimate guarantee of the authenticity of the relics.The Postulator provided small relics to be left as agift to the pastors. Such relics were placed in the-cae to which was affixed the authentic seal in redwax and were accompanied by documents ofauthenticity which only he can issue with hisembossed seal.

This required process confirms the use and theneed for such procedures. Therefore, according tothe norms expressed above, and exemplified in thecase cited, and which are still valid and permittedby the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, itcan be stated that:

It is the sole right of the bishop, not of otherlocal ordinaries or religious - since it is not theirarea of competence - by their proper authority andin communion with the Holy See, to guarantee theauthenticity of relics and how they are managed. In the case of canonical recognition of the mortalremains of a saint, as well as their removal to aplace other than that church were they are pre-

Relics of St. Gemma Galgani

The Curia Informs

24

served, permission must be sought from the Holy Seeprior to the nulla osta of the local Ordinaries.

The authenticity of relics, of significant nature orparticles, is guaranteed by a document of authenticitythat may only be issued by a Cardinal, a bishop, by anecclesiastical authority who possesses an apostolicIndult and by a Postulator accredited by theCongregation for the Causes of Saints.The Postulator General is so designated and specifi-cally entrusted with this ministry by the SuperiorGeneral and his Council. This personal nominationfor a specific task that is given by general Authority -the same that ratifies Provincial elections for anotherservice, that of the provinces - is not sufficient:it is the Congregation for the Causes of Saints - the

only competent authority - after having been dulyinformed, ratifies such a request for nomination andinserts it in the Acta Congregationis pro CausisSanctorum, thereby accrediting and recognizing thenomination of the Postulator for the purpose of theCauses of Beatification and also the ordering, creationand distribution of relics to the faithful.

Therefore, it is the sole authority of the PostulatorGeneral to create, authenticate and distribute relics ofall the members of the Congregation (Servants ofGod, Venerabili, Beati and Saints), or to whomever hespecifically delegates such a faculty. The theory that

with the Canonization of a member of an Institute thecompetence of the Postulator general ceases in thisregard is not juridically valid. The only exceptionwould be in a case where the Postulator expressly andpersonally delegates with specific parameters, as inthe case of the Vice-postulator within the provinces,named as such by the Postulator general with the rec-ommendation of the provincial Superior. Anyone elsewho illegitimately assumes this right commits a falla-cy and is in violation of the canon law of the Church.

Only the Postulator general, whose nominationhas been made by the authority of the Congregationfor the Causes of Saints, which has ratified this taskbefore the Holy See, therefore has, by reasons of theoffice and by right the faculty to authenticate relics bymeans of a seal and a certificate of authenticity. Withregard to the specific identity of the relics, this refersto those "ex ossibus" and those "ex corpore" of thesaints and beati of the order or congregation of whichthe postulator is a member and of those causes whichhe has undertaken.

Therefore it is necessary for us, obedient sons ofthe Church, to attend to the verification of the authen-ticity of relics preserved in our religious houses, to theverification of the seals, to the verification of theaccompanying certification and obedience to thecanon law and its implementation.

Various relics at Sts. John and Paul

The Curia Informs

25

To visit the General Archives is like walk-ing among all the former and present "giants"of our Congregation, beginning with our HolyFounder up to the present day. There arecopies of everything written by and aboutPassionists, including all of our magazines andProvince happenings, etc. Here is a placewhere one is able to share in the many talents,insights and stories of us Passionists. Thedoors are always open to those who wish toobtain any information. Many do take advan-tage of coming to the General Archives for dif-ferent reasons - even non-Passionists, studentsin Rome or the personnel of various embassies

-- all are welcome. Information can also berequested via FAX, email or ordinary mail.

Presently, one project that is being under-taken is that of categorizing the many papersand letters, etc. of Fr. Carmelo Naselli, C.P.that were recently obtained. The computerdata base program has been changed toMicrosoft Access which now makes it mucheasier to save and computerize data.

Remember that anytime you are in Rome,you are more than welcome to visit theGeneral Archives and experience all the won-ders of the past and present history of ourPassionist Congregation.

The General Archives

THE GENERAL ARCHIVES:An open door to the cultural and spiritual patrimony

of the Passionist Congregation

Editor's Note: In January, 2005, Fr. Juan Llorente (FAM) was reassigned to the Passionist com-munity of Bethany in the Holy Land and consequently, resigned his position as GeneralArchivist. To date a new General Archivist has not been named. There is staff of very competentassistants ever ready to serve you.

26

Passionist Life - News from the Conferences

The Congress of the Regional Vicariate of StThomas the Apostle, India.

The Congress was held on 20-25 April 2005, atPassionist Jyotir Bhavan, Carmelaram, Bangalore.Father Michael Higgins CP, Provincial, presided.

The Congress coincided with the opening of theVicariate’s Silver Jubilee year. The first Passionistsarrived in India in March 1981, 24 years ago.

Father Alex Steinmiller of Holy Cross Province wasfacilitator. Twenty six voting members were pres-ent, including the Provincial and the GeneralConsultor, as well as two student observers.

Developments of the past four years wereacknowledged. Our apostolic ministries expandedduring this period, though no completely new ini-tiative was undertaken. The Prisoner RehabilitationProject now has a permanent home built on land weacquired for this purpose. The two parishes contin-ue to flourish with many projects for the social bet-terment of the people.

Major discussions were held on the topics ofMission and Ministry, Financial Accountability and

Stability, Building Projects, Formation, VocationalPromotion, Leadership, and finally, a Vision for theVicariate.

In order to overcome restrictions on the numberof our students admitted to our school ofPhilosophy, it was decided to move the Philosophycommunity from Bophal to Bangalore.

No less than five new pastoral initiatives were pro-posed. All were accepted, in the sense that theCongress recommended to the incoming Vicar andCouncil to implement as many of them as might beopportune, along with the long-standing commit-ment to the mission in the north of India. Theseincluded acceptance of a poor parish, Aids ministry,broad social ministry and retreat ministry. TheCongress agreed to a process of dialogue on the vis-itation assessment of the Vicariate and communi-ties, and to further work on the evaluation.

Father Michael Higgins announced the appointmentof Fr. Martin Gabriel Santiago as Regional Vicar.The Congress then elected two Consultors, AntonyTharayil and Joseph Van Leeuwin. The wholeCongress was conducted in an atmosphere of joyand reconciliation.

Asia - Pacific Conference

L-R: Frs. Martin Santiago, Regional Vicar; Michael Higgins, Provincial (CRUC); Anthony Tharayil and Joseph Van Leeuwin, ConsultorsReligious of the CRUC-THOM Vicariate

PASPACPASPAC

27

Passionist Life - News from the Conferences

Second Provincial Chapter (PASS), PhilippinesApril 11-15, 2005

The Chapter was held at Holy Cross SpiritualCenter, Calumpang, General Santos City, inSouthern Mindanao with Father OttavianoD'Egidio, Superior General, presiding.

Father Apolinario (Pol) Plaza, Provincial, gavea detailed and frank report on the developmentsof the past four years.

Much has been achieved. The bishop invitedthe Congregation to leave one Parish,Marikina, in Metro Manila, but divided the areaand gave us the undeveloped half. A new ParishChurch is under construction. Two missionarieswere sent to Papua New Guinea, though theventure did not prosper. New ministries areproposed: a new parish on the BataanPeninsula, sending missionaries to Sweden andVietnam. A philosophy house has been opened

in the South, and the Novitiate was transferredto the South. Numbers have been increasing,and there are more students in theology thanever before. There have been difficulties too,including financial difficulties with a large risein expenditures.

The Chapter concentrated on a revision of the"Province Legislation". The main topics dis-cussed with were: Community Life, theApostolate, including foreign missions,Formation, Lay Partnership, Administrationand Finance.

The Chapter was conducted in a very peacefuland even joyful atmosphere.

Father Edwin Flor was elected Provincial, hisconsultors are: Fr.Wilfredo (Willy) Estraza,First Consultor, Fr. Reneto (René) Ventajar,Fr.Apolinario (Pol) Plaza, and Fr. Julito(Titing)Villarente.

L-R: Frs. Julito Villarente, Wilfredo Estraza, Edwin Flor, Rene Ventajar and Apolinario Plaza

The delegates deliberateat the PASS Chapter

28

Passionist Life - News from the Conferences

Latin American Conference

Canonical Visitation of the CALV Province of Brazil

In preparation for the upcoming Provincial Chapter thatwill take place during 25 - 29 July of this year, Fr. Augusto

Canali, General Consultor, made a canonical visitation to the17 communities of the CALV Province, situated in the southern and northeastern areas of Brazilduring 28 February - 23 April, 2005. During the period of 29 April - 09 May a visitation tookplace to the community in the region of the mission of Metoro (Mozambique, Africa)

In each of the communities, the Consultor guided reflections about the Restructuring of theCongregation, a topic which was discussed during the last General Synod and he presented thesteps of this process that are being proposed and presented by the Superior General, Fr.Ottaviano and General Council.

At this time the vocation prospects of the Province in the various phases of formation arevery hopeful: 8 aspirants; 9 postulants; 5 novices (2 from the CALV Province, 1 of the DOMINVicariate and 2 of the VICT Vicariate) and 15 Theology students.

Open CongressThe Congress of the LIBER Vicariate took place from 14 to 17 March 2005, in the city of

Hidrolandia (GO - Brazil). The following religious were elected to positions of leadership: Fr.Célio Amaro (Regional Vicar, re-elected), Fr. José Roberto and Fr. Antonio Vermey(Consultors).

50th Anniversary of the Parish "La Piedad", San Juan, Puerto Rico

Preparations have begun for the upcoming celebrationof the 50th anniversary of the "La Piedad" Parish in theIsla Verde section of San Juan, Puerto Rico on 05January 2006. The CORI Province and the Vicariate ofthe Caribbean are collaborating in the planning of thiscelebration. This event marks 50 years of Passionistpresence in service of the community of the beautifulIsland of Puerto Rico. Various committees have beenformed, in particular those composed of the laity whosecollaboration and participation will insure a variety ofactivities on the parish level. It is important to note thatthis event has served to highlight the historical memo-ry of our presence on the island and it is for this pur-pose that a research study is being done.

Passionist Parish church of "La Piedad", Isla Verde, San Juan, Puerto Rico

Center: Fr. Augusto Canali, C.P., General Consultor, religious and novices of the CALV Province (Brazil).

CLAPCLAP

29

Passionist Life - News from the Conferences

36th Assembly of CIPI (Inter-Provincial Conference of the ItalianPassionists)

The annual Assembly of CIPItook place in Rome at Sts. John andPaul from 31 Jan. to 02 Feb. 2005. Themoderator was Fr. Pierluigi Nava of the

Monfort Fathers, who spoke on the topic of Restructuring in reference to this topic that was treatedduring the recent General Synod.

The Assembly was introduced by its president, Fr. Luigi Vaninetti, who spoke about what wasdiscussed during the Synod regarding the importance of Restructuring and as well as decisions thatwere made and the basis for these decisions. With the help of Fr. Nava, the Assembly reflected onways to increase the vitality of the Congregation in the process of Restructuring and the criteria toused to form small groups for discussion.

The second part of the Assembly addressed the life of the Provinces and the various commissionsthat, following the report of Fr. Luigi, reported on the activities that took place and those beingplanned for the future. Additionally, the Assembly addressed the issue of the National Novitiate.Since the level of collaboration of the Italian provinces has declined, it was decided to support theestablishment of a novitiate (or novitiates) on the provincial or inter-provincial levels while allow-ing for the possibility of the involvement of additional provinces.

During the Assembly Fr. Giovanni Pelà was elected to be the new secretary, replacing Fr. FrancoBonato and the new Assistant for the Passionist Lay Movement was Fr. Giovanni Giorgi, replacingFr. Alberto Pierangioli.

Centenary of the Foundation of the LAT Province

Beginning on 23 October 2005 the LAT Province of Italywill begin the celebration of the centenary of its foundation.The commission established for this purpose has pro-grammed the following events: the solemn Inauguration ofthe Centenary (Manduria - 23 Oct.2005); a Symposium(Manduria- 27-29 Oct. 2005); the "pilgrimage" of the relicsof St. Paul of the Cross to cities in the province connectedwith St. Paul of the Cross: Troia Civita, Gaeta, Roma andMonte Argentario. The pilgrimage will be accompanied bya traveling exhibition highlighting Passionist life and spiri-tuality in the Italian provinces of Puglia, Calabria andBasilicata. The centenary will conclude in Manduria withthe celebration of the Eucharist at which Bishop Franc Rodè,Prefect of the Congregation for Religious will preside.

Centenary poster of the LAT Province

Italian ConferenceCIPICIPI

30

Passionist Life - News from the Conferences

Congress of CARLW Vicariate

The Congress of the CARLW Vicariate ofKenya took place during 8 - 10 February 2005in Karungu, Kenya. The Provincial Superior,Fr. Giuseppe Martinelli (CORM) presided atthe Congress. The theme of the Congress was:"Toward a more religious and more KenyanVicariate - toward a renewed way of living thecharism". The focus of the Congress centered

on the evaluation of projects and their develop-ment, as well as concern for on-going formation.

The Congress elected Fr. Filippo Astori as RegionalVicar. This will be his second term. Two consultors werealso elected: Fr. Leonardo Okuku, First Consultor andFr. John Muthengi, Second Consultor.

Congress of the MATAF VicariateThe MATAF Vicariate celebrated itsCongress from 17 - 19 January 2005 inthe community of Forest Hill, Botswana.The Provincial Superior (PATR), Fr.Martin Coffey presided at the Congress.The discussions during the Congresscentered on Passionist presence and ourapostolates in the two nations of SouthAfrica and Botswana, as well as the pos-sibility of establishing a foundation inZambia, where the Vicariate is experi-encing growth in the area of vocations.The Congress elected Fr. ArthurMcCann as the Regional Vicar and Fr.Michael Ogwena and Anthony Mdhuli,Consultors.

Religious of the MATAF Regional Vicariate

CPACPAAfrican Conference

Fr. Filippo Astori, C.P. Regional Vicar (CARLW)

31

Passionist Life - News from the Conferences

The Congress of the GEMM Vicariate

From 8 to 10 March 2005 the GEMM Vicariate of Tanzania held its eighth Congress. The discussionduring the Congress centered on the topic of on-going formation. The Congress took place in theVicariate center of Veyula in a calm and peaceful atmosphere. This spirit was no doubt the result ofgood planning. The Congress produced 7 decisions, 9 recommendations and 1 exhortation. At thistime, self-support and personnel continue to be the major challenges of the Vicariate; however it isbelieved that slowly these goals are being achieved.

Fr. Roberto del Corso was elected as Regional Vicar. His two consultors are: Fr. CesarePozzobon, FirstConsultor and Fr. MzeeWillfred as SecondConsultor. Fr. GiuseppeMartinelli (ProvincialCORM) presided at theCongress and officiatedat its closing.

The Congress of the SALV Vice-Province

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the firstCongress of the SALV Vice-Province took placefrom 14-17 March, 2005. The ProvincialSuperior, Fr. Guy Sionneau (MICH), was themoderator, and the Superior General, Fr.Ottaviano D'Egidio, presided at the Congress andofficiated at its closing. The central theme wasthat of strengthening its unity. In addition to thetopic of unity, self-support was a significant andchallenging matter so that a sense of serenity anda stable future for the religious of the Vice-Province might be achieved. In these two areas,the new leadership of the Vice-Province mustwork assiduously to encourage all the religious toassume responsibility. This First Congress electedthe following to positions of leadership: Vice-Provincial, Fr. Emery Kibal, and four consultors:Fr. Michel Woko (First Consultor) and Fr. Martin Fripont, Fr.Bernard Mayele and Fr. Jean-Claude Wala Wala. To theVice-Province and to all the Passionist religious of theCongo, we offer our best wishes!

Fr. Emery Kibal, SALV Vice-Provincial

Religious of the GEMM Vicariate

32

Passionist Life - News from the Conferences

Centenary Poster of the FAM Province

The International Commissionof Solidarity and JPIC

On April 8-9, 2005 theInternational Commission ofSolidarity and JPIC met in Rome.As always each member spokeabout the work that they realizedduring the past semester. Some ofthese are:

-- The recognition in theUnited Nations (UN) of thePassionist InternationalCommission in the Department ofPublic Information. It is expectedthat within two years it will beofficially recognized by theCouncil of Social Economy(ECOSOC).

-- Our web page,http://www.passionistworld.org,is now available in three lan-guages.

-- The network between all of

the Passionists (male and female)that are working in the area ofJPIC continues to develop.

-- A booklet to help raise con-sciousness of many issues in thisarea of Justice and Peace has been printed and has been distrib-uted among many religious.

The Commission then namedareas for future development:

- There are still manyPassionist religious who do notknow about JPIC, or are not awareof this dimension of beingPassionist.

- The Solidarity Fund isincreasing gradually but the par-ticipation of all the Provinces stillhas to be achieved. ManyProvinces still do not know aboutthe Solidarity Fund and some economically strong Provinceshave hardly shown signs of life.

- We wish every Province tohave a delegate for JPIC.

- Permanent formation on JPICis an on-going need.

- The Commission will contin-ue to study its educational role aswell as how to establish better means of communication amongthe different Provinces.

Fr. Jefferies Foales, Justice & Peace Commission

CIICIIIberian Conference

CENTENARY OF THE FAM PROVINCE

This year the FAM Province of Spain (Zaragoza) will markthe centenary of its foundation which originated in the retreatsof Mexico, Cuba and Chile. From there it expanded to Spain,Venezuela, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica and Guatemala,ceding Chile to the SANG Province. Consequently, duringthis centenary year, the Provincial Chapter will take placewhere the province originated, i.e. Mexico.

Following is a description of the Centenary poster: In thecenter is the Passionist Sign which identifies us: "The memo-ry of the Passion". A circle of light emanates from this centerwith the colors of each country and place where we are locat-ed. The olive branch envelopes us in content and traditionwith definite biblical and Passio-centric roots, in addition toincorporating the palm branch in our Sign. The four branchessymbolize our four areas of ministry which are, however, unit-ed in the same trunk. The sandals, on the "horizon of hope",which are easily recognizable, define us as ready for ministry.They are worn out by those who have preceded us in ministry;they await new feet for the mission. They are foot-wear ofhope, light-weight and poor that project our itinerant lifetoward new horizons. The text: "We announce the Passion ofChrist", a Pauline echo as well as an echo of our Constitutions,recall the reason for our existence -- yesterday, today y always.The background, radiant with clarity and light, and its colorfulimpact, is symbolic of the joy of our vocation and our jubileecelebration. In summary: the Memory-Horizon of a charismand a burst of joy.

33

Passionist Life - Passionist Family

Lay Passionist Movement of CIPI (Interprovincial Conference of Italian Passionists)

The National Council of the Lay Passionist Movement of CIPI met in the retreat house at Sts. John andPaul, Rome on 15-16 Jan. 2005. The meeting was attended by 38 members as well as Fr. LuigiVaninetti and Fr. Alberto Pierangioli, National Assistant of the LPM. Among the decisions that weremade are the following:

(1) The National Convention of the LPM will continue to be held every two years; in 2006 the meet-ing will be hosted by the Province in Sicily with a topic to be determined.

(2) The Coordinator will study ways of reviving the publication of some means of communication forwhich there an urgent need.

(3) An LPM Day will be planned to make the Movement better known and also for the purpose offund-raising, possibly on the feast of St. Gemma, the patroness of LPM. The results of the electionsare as follows: Franco Nicolò, of the DOL Province was confirmed as the National Coordinator; DarioSimonitto, of the CFIXI Province, the Vice-Coordinator and Maria Rosa Pacchera of the CORMProvince, Treasurer.

Shrine of St. Gemma, Lucca: Inauguration of Pilgrims' Reception Center

At the Shrine of St.Gemma, Lucca, the feast of the Saint, May 16, was particularly joyful thisyear due to inauguration of the "Casa del Pellegrino", the Pilgrim Reception Center. The Centeris located on the property of the Shrine of St. Gemma and the Monastery of the Passionist Nuns.

In the past, in order to offer groups of pil-grims a place for rest and refreshments, the nunshad to ask permission of the local bishop toallow these people to enter within the monasterycloister. To respect this dimension of the nuns'life and to offer a more commodious facility, itwas decided to construct a free standing build-ing on the monastery grounds. The newly inau-gurated Pilgrim Reception Center can accom-modate approximately 200 people. Togetherwith restroom facilities there are areas for thegroups to rest and enjoy a box lunch.

The Superior of the Monastery, Mother Paolaexplained that this place for pilgrims is the giftof the devotees of St. Gemma to the citizens ofthe city as well as to "the friends of the Shrine"who, even from far-away places made donationstoward the realization of this project. To makereservations for groups to visit the Shine and usethis new facility, contact Mrs. Maria Sivolella atthe Monastery.

The blessing of the new Pilgrim Center

34

Passionist Life - Special Events

“…with faith, trust and joy.”

Shortly after the election of Joseph CardinalRatzinger as Pope Benedict XVI, our SuperiorGeneral, Fr. Ottaviano D'Egidio, wrote to HisHoliness on behalf of the Congregation to offer hisbest wishes and prayers:

To the Holy Father His Holiness Benedict XVI

The Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ,all the men and women religious and the laity of thePassionist Family have received the announcementof the election of your Holiness as Successor to Peterwith faith, trust and joy.

We assure you of our filial obedience and of ourprayer that you will guide the Church in your role ofFather and Pastor according to the designs estab-lished by Providence, even in deep and troubledwaters, certain of the presence of Jesus with you inthe boat and of the living wind of the Spirit of Truthin the sails: "The Holy Spirit whom the Father willsend in my name, will teach you everything."(Jn.14:26)

We fondly recall your presence and the homilythat you preached when you presided at the concele-brated Eucharist on the feast of our Founder, St. Paulof the Cross, in the Basilica of Sts. John and Paul inRome, during our General Synod of 1992, a visit thatwe hope you will repeat as Supreme Pontiff. Wealso happily remember your summer visits to cele-brate daily Eucharist at our community residence inRegensburg.

Holiness, as we extend our sincere best wishes foryour Supreme Apostolic Ministry, we want to assureyou of our filial devotion and obedience as we kissthe ring of the Fisherman.

May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in ourhearts!

Fr. Ottaviano D'Egidio CPSuperior General

Piazza Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, 13 - 00184 Roma

In response to the Superior General's letterof congratulations, Fr. Ottaviano receivedthe following response:

SEGRETARIA DI STATO_______

PRIMA SEZIONEAFFARI GENERALI

The Vatican, 28th April, 2005 N. 7

Reverend Father,

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI hasreceived your message, in which you, in thename of the Family of Passionist Religious,expressed your affectionate good wishes onoccasion of his holiness' elevation to theChair of Peter, assuring him of your specialprayers for the success of his universal min-istry.

The Holy Father, who appreciates this ges-ture of devout homage, would like toexpress his deep-felt gratitude by grantingyou and all who have been joined with youin your expression of filial veneration hisApostolic Blessing as a sign of abundantheavenly graces.

I avail myself of this occasion to convey mysincere esteem of Your Most ReverendPaternity.

Fraternally in the Lord† Leonardo SandriSostituto

_____________________Fr. OTTAVIANO D’EGIDIO, CPSuperior General of the PassionistsPiazza Ss. Giovanni e Paolo, 13 - 00184Roma

35

Passionist Life - Special Events

Fr. Laurentino Novoa, C.P. of the Spanish FAM Province, is a former student of the Holy Father. He iscurrently a theology professor in the "Centro Regional de Estudios Teológicos" of Aargón. He first metPope Benedict XVI in 1969 when the latter was a professor of theology in the University of Regensburg(Ratisbona), in Germany. It was during the period that his friendship began with the Pontiff, a rela-tionship that has continued to the present day. Below we offer a part of the interview that was con-ducted with Fr. Laurentino on 21 May 2005, in the diocesan center of Teruel, Spain.

--What is your relationship with the current Pope Benedict XVI?

I met Joseph Ratzinger in 1969 at the University of Regensburg where he taught dogmatic theology.Apart from my relationship with him as a professor, I also developed a close friendship with him whenhe built his residence near where we students lived in the Passionist community of Bavaria, and sincewe were neighbors, a strong friendship developed. As a matter of fact, even in 1977 when he wasnamed bishop of Munich, he would always return to Regensburg to celebrate Mass in our chapel andhave breakfast with us. Then in 1981, Pope John Paul II called him to Rome as Prefect of theCongregation for the Faith, one of the most important congregations of the Church.

--Have you had any kind of contact with him since he was elected Pope?Naturally, I wrote to congratulate him. I would have liked to have participated in his inaugural Mass.Our relationship is that we know each other and we have a certain friendship, but it is also a relation-ship with our community, a very close relationship. Benedict XVI proved wrong the saying that he whoenters the Conclave as "Pope" will exist as "Cardinal". Those of us, who have known Ratzinger well,never thought that he would have been elected, because he is a man of great simplicity. Theology andthe intellectual life involving study and reflection on the Christian Faith is what he really enjoys. Ibelieve that he had really hoped to retire. On the other hand, he has never been a man who had politi-cal ambitions, and because of this we thought that he would do everything possible not to be elected.Therefore, for believers this is one more proof that this is an act of God. Although for me his nomi-nation has been has been a source of great joy, I have to honestly say that I was surprised.

-- There has been a lot of talk about his talents. Does what is reported in the press coincide with whatyou know of Ratzinger?I don't believe so and the proof is that since he was elect-ed successor of St. Peter people have had a very goodimpression of him, in particular they are impressed byhis simplicity, his style preaching, etc. I think that themedia has presented a very distorted view of him and thereason for this may be due to the mission that he has car-ried out for the Church. Ratzinger had to work to main-tain the authenticity and the purity of the Faith and thismeans making decisions that not everyone likes.

--In his decision-makings thus far, has he set any stan-dards for the Church?John Paul II and Benedict XVI are two very differentpeople, although they shared a great friendship and werein spiritual harmony. Regarding matters of doctrine,ethics and morality I don't believe that there will bemany changes because the Pope has strong moral con-victions. Nevertheless, in other areas he will surelymake some positive changes.

Fr. Laurentino Novoa (FAM)

36

Passionist Life - Special Events

Our Passionists in the VULN Province of Germanywere particularly joyful at the news of the electionas Pope of one of their countrymen and also a goodfriend of our communities in Regensburg andSchwarzenfeld. Fr. Martin Bialas, C.P. offers thefollowing reflections:

Fr. Martin studied for hisdoctorate at the Universityof Regensburg (Ratisbona)from 1970-1977, and it wasduring this period that hefirst met Joseph Ratzinger,a professor at theUniversity. At this timeRatzinger had his privateresidence built at a distanceof 400 meters from ourhouse, "Paulusheim". Hishouse as yet did not have aprivate chapel so he wouldgo to celebrate Mass in ourcommunity chapel, usually25-30 times a year. Onmost of these occasions,from 1977 until his electionas Pope in 2005, whenCardinal Ratzinger would goto his residence to work or for vacation, Fr. Martinconcelebrated Mass with him. Following Mass hewould usually join the community for breakfast.Until his election as Pope, he was scheduled to visitthe community the week before Pentecost - a visit

that never took place!

Furthermore, the Holy Father visited our communi-ty at Schwarzenfeld on more than ten occasions. Inparticular, the then Cardinal Ratzinger graced ourcommunities with his presence on three "official

feast days": The 50th anniversary of the foundationof our monastery in August, 1984; the 25th Jubileeof ordination of Fr. Martin Bialas in August, 1993;and again at Fr. Martin's 50th anniversary of ordina-tion in 1995.

Pope Benedict XVI and Fr. Martin Bialas (VULN)

Cardinal Ratzinger, Fr. José Agustín Orbegozo and Fr. Martin Bailas (VULN), Basilica of Sts. John and Paul, October 19, 1992

37

Passionist Life - Witnesses

Fr. Viktor KochA man of holy courage - a messenger ofpeace

The following article and photographs were submitted byFr. Robert Carbonneau (PAUL), Provincial Archivist

In May 2005, German and Austrian Passionists of theVice-Province of the Five Wounds (VULN), theAmerican relatives of Father Viktor Koch, C.P.(PAUL),(1873-1955), three American Passionists, and the peo-ple of Schwarzenfeld, Germany joined together in aseries of events to celebrate the holy courage of Fr.Viktor during the war years (1939-1945). With passion,excitement and thanksgiving, the people ofSchwarzenfeld shared their personal memories with theKoch family. Especially grateful was Ms. KatherineKoch who is writing the life of Father Viktor. Shegained invaluable insight. The Koch website is www.vik-torkoch.com. Father Viktor was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, andordained a Passionist priest in 1896 as member of American St. Paul of the Cross Province. Aftervarious assignments ministering to German-American Catholics, Father Viktor along with FatherValentine Lehnerd, C.P. responded to an appeal to assist Catholics in Germany and Austria. In1922 a foundation was established in Pasing, Germany, outside of Munich, and by 1932 thePassionists had established a preparatory seminary there. In 1925 the invitation was accepted fromthe Archdiocese of Vienna, Austria, to staff Maria Schutz, located in the scenic Austrian Alps.Maria Schutz, a pilgrimage shrine, became the novitiate. More American Passionists were sent. In1926 some men from Holy Cross Province joined the mission. When Adolph Hitler came to power in Germany in 1933, he made it extremely difficult forGermans to enter Austria. This helped Father Viktor to build, in 1934, the Passionist monastery inSchwarzenfeld, Germany, north of Regensburg. This was a tremendous economic and religiousblessing for the local people. In 1935 the Passionists approved the three foundations in Munich,Maria Shutz, and Schwarzenfeld to be the Vice Province of the Five Wounds.

By 1941 World War II had reconfigured the German Passionist membership. Many GermanPassionist priests and seminarians had to enter the military. During the 1930s Father Viktor hadreceived Austrian citizenship. Consequently, when the "Anschluss" resulted in Germany andAustria being formed into one country, all Austrians automatically gained German citizenship.Uniquely, Father Viktor was not deported even as other American Passionists had to return home.He was allowed to stay in part of the Schwarzenfeld monastery much of the time with fellowPassionist Father Paul Boeminghaus, who was arrested for a short time. During the early 1940s theNazis used the monastery for a school and study center for atomic research. Nevertheless, through-out this period local Catholics known as the “Blacks” defied Nazi prohibitions and continued to

Poster: Viktor Koch (PAUL)Historical Seminar 1945- 2005

Fr. Viktor Koch, C.P. - the friendly enemy?The Founder of the Monastery, under the swastika

38

Passionist Life - Witnesses

bring the priests food. All the while both priestscontinued as best they could to minister underthe local Nazi occupation. While the monasteryin Schwarzenfeld survived the war intact, boththe Pasing monastery and church, as well as themonastery and church at Maria Schutz, suffereddamage.

In April 1945 an end to the war seemed close. Atthat time American troops had just liberatedSchwarzenfeld where they found a mass grave ofpeople recently executed. Erroneously, theAmericans thought that townspeople were theperpetrators and had a connection to the region-al Flossenberg German concentration camp. Atthat moment Father Viktor met with theAmerican commanders and let them know thetruth. Eventually, he succeeded in convincing theAmerican commanders that the citizens ofSchwarzenfeld were innocent of this atrocity.The commander agreed to spare the town underone condition. He ordered Schwarzenfeld's citi-zens to exhume corpses buried on the town's out-skirts, wash them, clothe them in donated gar-ments, construct caskets, and give each victim aproper burial, all in 48 hours. If the townspeoplefailed to achieve this task, he intended to re-issueorders for Schwarzen-eld's destruction. FatherViktor coordinated efforts between theAmericans and German townspeople. Everyman, woman, and child in the town participated,and together they succeeded in completing thismonumental task.

This knowledgesaved the townspeo-ple from beingunjustly punished andproved to be first stepin post-World War II

recovery. Specifically, Father Viktor began towork with the townspeople. As one lady said:"When my family had no clothing, no food in thehouse, he'd stop by the house with a CARE pack-age and take care of everything." In addition,since Father Viktor was in Schwarzenfeldthroughout the war years he was able to writeletters vouching for civilians who had been mis-taken as Nazis.

Father Viktor was made an honorary citizen ofSchwarzenfeld. He died in 1955 and was buriedin the monastery cemetery. Father Viktor Kochwas a faithful Passionist priest. With a deter-mined spirit he worked hard to establish theGerman Passionists. In many ways, his spiritualintensity was at the very heart of his character.

At the seminar on 12 May 2005, Fr. GregorLenzen, VULN Provincial, offered an historicalperspective to the three hundred people whoattended: AAs a priest and religious Fr. Viktordid not think in terms of “friend or enemy”. As aGerman-American and as a member of an inter-national religious community, in which all treateach other as brothers; he was not marked by anyfeelings of nationalism. For him it was peoplewho mattered, and their salvation, which for himoriginated in the Cross of Christ. He had come toimplant this Cross and in so doing became amessenger of peace.

Passionist Monastery Schwarzenfeld. May 15, 2005 Liturgy in honor of Father Viktor Koch (PAUL) l-r. Passionists Fr. Klaus Josef Holzer, Local Superior;

VULN Provincial Fr. Gregor Lenzen and Fr. Martin Bialas.

39

Passionist Life - Witnesses - Professions and Ordinations

Death of Fr. Stanislas Breton

On 2 April 2005, Fr. Stanislas Breton (MICH) passed away to eternallife.

Fr. Stanislas was born on 3 June 1912, professed vows on 10 October1927, and was ordained on 29 June 1936.

He was a philosopher, mystic and poet whose life was rich in vitalityand thought. He helped the Congregation and the world to deepen theirunderstanding of the mystery of the Cross and the Passion of Jesus bymeans of his teaching, lectures and numerous publications of books and

other studies.

In October, 2003 the Congregation honored him at a Symposium at the Lateran University in Rome onthe occasion of his 90th birthday, celebrating his life as well as his work. On that occasion, Fr. OttavianoD'Egidio, Superior General stated: "A Philosopher, theologian and poet of the Memoria Passionis, he (Fr. Breton) is among the great rep-resentatives of contemporary Christian thought. His vast scientific work, 40 published books and 311articles or contributions to collected works and his academic teaching have contributed to the deepen-ing of research on the Verbum Crucis in a profitable dialog between faith, reason and intuition.Furthermore, he has enriched the understanding of the charism of the Passionist Congregation that St.Paul of the Cross summarized in the words promote grateful remembrance of the Passion of Our Lord."

For more information on the life and work of Fr. Stanislas Breton see PIB, December 2003.

PROFESSIONS AND ORDINATIONSFirst vows

On 8 January 2005, the following novices of the RES Vicariate (Peru) of the CORI Province pro-fessed First Vows: José Cleider Vásquez Pasancho, Franklin Vasquez Villa, Hugo Mori Alegria andAdony Reyes Rosario of the PAC Vicariate (Puerto Rico/ Dom. Republic).

On 9 January of the same month, three novices of the CALV Province (Brazil/Mozambique) alsoprofessed First Vows: Solano Luiz Taverna, Wilson Aparecido Lopes and Francisco das Chagas daSilva Marques. Also on 29 January the novices of the DOMIN Vicariate (Brazil) of the PRAESProvince professed Vows: José Carlos Souza Aquino, José Secundino Mendes Oliveira, MárcioSantos de Souza and Alessandro Dos Santos Alves (30 Jan.).

On 5 February, Luiz Martins de Freitas, of the LIBER Vicariate (Brazil) of the SPE Provincia pro-fessed Vows. And on the 27th of the same month the novices of the VICT Vicariate (Brazil) of theDOL Province professed First Vows: Vancerlan Gomes da Paz, Aurélio Aparecido Miranda,Melquíades Lima Filho and Paulo Sérgio Miranda.

The Passionists in Wisla - PolandPassionists have been present in the town of Wisla since the year 1970. Truly anexception in Catholic Poland, the Catholics in this town are living as in a dias-pora, since Lutherans comprise the majority of the population, in addition toalmost thirty other Protestant sects. Every year, on the occasion of IndependenceDay celebrations (11th November), the citizens meet to pray for their country inone of the various churches. Last year it was the turn of the Passionists’ churchand there was a large attendance of the members of many of the other churches.The local civil authorities and the clergy of the various churches were all invit-ed. The Lutheran church choir led the singing and our parish priest and localSuperior in Wisla, Fr. Leonard Zaloga, C.P., presided at the liturgy of the Word.

The homily was preached by the Lutheran pastor.

Fr. Stanislas Breton, C.P. (MICH)

Celebration in the Passionist church of Wisla, Poland

40

Passionist Life - Witnesses - Professions and Ordinations

Perpetual professionsOn 01 November and 07 November two religious

of the PRAES Province professed Perpetual Vows:Mario Barullo and Roberto Dell´Uomo; and on 02January 2005, Luca Fracasso of the LAT Provincealso professed Perpetual Vows; and on 7 May 2005,Matteo Nonini of the CORM Province.

Ordinations to the diaconate Thus far this year four of our religious were

ordained to the Diaconate: Luca Fracasso of theLAT Province on 26 Febuary; José ValentínDuerto Reyna of the COROM Vicariate of theFAM Province on 13 March Pablo AntonioRosero Del Pezo and Manuel Adalberto CorozoBanguera of the SANG Province on 23 April. On01 May, two Passionists of the SALV Vice-Province were ordained in Kinshasha: PierreMalongo and Calixto Mbelolo.

Pierre Malongo and Calixto Mbelolo (SALV)

Confr. Pablo Antonio Rosero y Manuel A. Corozo (SANG - CARM)

Luca Fracasso (LAT)

PRAES: Bro. Mario BarulloPRAES: Bro. Roberto dell'Uomo

41

Passionist Life - Witnesses - Professions and Ordinations

SANG: (standing) Fr. Juan Carlos Prieto and (kneeling) Fr. David Benito

Priestly ordinations

On 20 November 2004, Patricio Manosalvas Rizzo of the LAT Province was ordainedto the priesthood. On 5 December, Eraldo Furtado de Oliveira of the VICT Vicariate ofthe DOL Province and on 11 December, Everaldo Galería of the CALV Province, andfinally on 8 December, Stefan Neugebauer of the VULN Province.

In the year 2005 the following religious were ordained priests: on 26 February, JoâoDe Sousa Cabral Júnior of the CALV Province; on 06 March, Paul Kazuhiro Matsumoto,Francis Totsuka Yamauchi and Francis Katsunori Nakamura of the MAIAP Province; on23 April, Darlin Iván Mendoza Prado and Rodolfo Antonio Cajar Gómez; and on 30 ofthe same month David Benito Martín and Juan Carlos Prieto Torres of the SANGProvince.

CARLW: L-R Frs. Andrei Okeyo, Paul Mbugua, Evan Fwamba

LAT: Fr. Patricio Manosalvas Rizzo

MAIAP: Frs. Francis Yamauchi Totsuka, Francis Nakamura Katsunoriand Paul Matsumoto Kazuhiro.

42

New Publications

AA.VV., PERSEMBAHAN HARIAN. Doa & Pujian kepada Bunda Allah. Jakarta, Indonesia, 2003. pp. 60.

AA.VV., ZACHOWAC ZYWA PAMIEC O MECE JEZUSA. Materialy z konferencji duchowosci sw Pawla od. JEDNOSC,Kielce 2004, pp. 128.

CANTIAMO AL SIGNORE, ALLELUIA! Libro dei canti della Communità Passionista Maria della Santa Speranza. ProManuscripto, Ad Uso Interno. 242 songs.Hola Jesùs. Cancionero de la Comunidad Crisiana. Yurimaguas, Loreto, Peru 2004, pp 354

OFISI PROPRIUM & PARA KUDUS PASIONIS. Sekretariat Vice Propinsi Pasionis, Indonesia 2004, pp. 258.

MISA VOTIF & PARA KUDUS PASIONIS. Sekretariat Vice Propinsi Pasionis, Indonesia 2004, pp. 106

LIBRO DE LA PALABRA Cielo A. Para el Vicariao Apostòlico de Yurimaguas. Por los Misioneros de Jesùs y los MisioneosPasionistas. Yurimaguas 2004, pp. 417.

(Translated into Japanese) IN THE HEART OF GOD. THE SPIRITUAL TEACHING OF ST. PAUL OF THE CROSS. DonBosco Press, Japan 2004, pp. 87.

Carey, V., GOD LOVES EVERYONE. Australia 2004, pp. 355.

Pereira, J.C., CAUSOS, CAFè & FILOSOFIA. Navegar Editora, Brazil 2004, pp. 152.

Gracia, A., YO, PABLO DE LA CRUZ. Talleres de Reproducciòn, Venezuela 2005, pp. 190.

Odorissio, M., NA HORA DE EXPLICAR O EVANGELHO - Ano A. Missa com crianças e catequese. Palava & Prece, Brazil2005, pp. 155.

Di Eugenio, P., LETTERE CONFIDENZIALI (Gabriele dell'Addolorata). Con altri scritti e preghiere. San Gabriele Edizioni2005, pp. 181.

Gaétan du Saint Nom De Marie, SAINT PAUL DE LA CROIX MAITRE DE LA VIE SPIRITUELLE. Sa Doctrine et saPratique touchant les visions Révélations, pp. 77.

Gaétan du Saint Nom De Marie, LA DOCTRINE SPIRITUELLE DE SAINT PAUL DE LA CROIX. Extrait de la Revued'Ascétique et de Mystique (T. VIII, Octobre 1927 et T. IX, Janvier 1928., pp. 25-54.

Semeraro, R., MARCO AGOSTINELLI - UMBRA LUX DEI. Museo Stauros d'Arte Sacra Contemporanea. San Gabriele (TE)26 marzo - 21 maggio 2005, pp. 94.

Paolini, P. (Don), ESERCIZI SPIRITUALI. Fare memoria della Passione attraverso i Salmi. Curia Provinciale Passionisti -Basella (BG), pp. 60.

Fernadez del Cacho, J., MEMORIA DEL CORAZON. Madre Maria Magdalena, Pasionista.Editorial El Pasionario - Madrid, Spain 2005, pp. 182.

Di Eugenio, P., SAN GABRIELE DELL'ADDOLORATA. Un amico per sempre. San Gabriele Edizioni 2005, pp. 78.

Sebastiano, E., BIBLIOGRAFIA SISTEMATICA SU SAN PAOLO DELLA CROCE. Corso Tutoriale - Pontificia FacoltàTeologica Dell'Italia Meridionale Sezione S. Tommaso D'Aquino - Napoli. Biennio di specializzazione in Cristologia 2005, pp.71.

THESES

Kibal, E., LA PROFESSION RELIGIEUSE DANS L'ORDO PROFESSIONIS… Dissertatio ad Licentiam Sacrae Liturgiaeassequendam in Pontificio Istituto Liturgico, Romae 2004, pp. 94.

Nikodemus, IL DIALOGO FRA CATTOLICI E MUSULMANI IN INDONESIA. La Questione dell'identità e della NuovaEvangelizzaione. Dissertazione per il conseguimento della Licenza specializzata in Teologia dell'evangelizzazione, PontificiaUniversitas, 2003-2004, pp. 80.

Mzee Kwayu, W., IL CONCETTO DEL SILENZIO SECONDO SAN PAOLO DELLA CROCE NELLA. Thesis for licencein Spiritual Theology - Pontificia Università Gregoriana - Romae 2004, pp. 78.

43

Notitiae Obitus

Usque ad diem 15 maii 2005, acceptae

DDIIEE

18 novembris 2004

01 decembris 2004

02 decembris 2004

02 decembris 2004

04 decembris 2004

18 decembris 2004

25 decembris 2004

06 ianuarii 2005

07 ianuarii 2005

18 ianuarii 2005

19 ianuarii 2005

28 ianuarii 2005

30 ianuarii 2005

31 ianuarii 2005

04 februarii 2005

12 februarii 2005

12 februarii 2005

20 februarii 2005

23 februarii 2005

23 februarii 2005

28 februarii 2005

24 martii 2005

02 aprilis 2005

11 aprilis 2005

10 maii 2005

11 maii 2005

15 maii 2005

OOBBDDOORRMMIIVVIITT IINN DDOOMMIINNOO

Sac. Ignacio Basauri Landa

Sac. Bernardine Grande

Sac. José Javier Alberdi B.

Sac. Peter Hallisy

Sac. Raffaele Riccitelli

Fra. Serafino Bergamo

Sac. Germano Ventura

Sac. José Martínez González

Fra. Lorenzo Pérez Pérez

Sac. Walter Kaelin

Sac. Sabin Barruetabeña B.

Sac. Joaquim Gonçalves V

Sac. Esteban Sola Jurío

Sac. Antonio Rupérez Escudero

Sac. Bernardino Scancarello

Sac. Rian Clancy

Sac. Placido Tonelli

Sac. Nicholas Zitz

Fra. Bernard Stemplewski

Sac. Paul Ignatius Bechtold

Sac. Ignazio Del Vecchio

Sac. Myron Gohmann

Sac. Stanislas Breton

Sac. Eustace McDonald

Sac. Angelico Marchetti

Sac. Colman Haggerty

Sac. John F. Kobler

PPRROOVVIINNCCIIAA

CORI

PAUL

CORI

PAUL

LAT

LAT

PRAES

FAM

SANG

CRUC

CORI

FAT

CORI

SANG

CFIXI

CRUC

CORM

PAUL

ASSUM

CRUC

LAT

CRUC

MICH

PAUL

DOL

PAUL

CRUC

NNAATTUUSS

1933

1917

1931

1923

1916

1919

1922

1922

1929

1916

1934

1940

1917

1917

1916

1924

1921

1929

1923

1915

1928

1928

1912

1918

1918

1918

1925

VVOOTTAA NNUUNNCCUUPPAAVVEERRAATT

09 septembris 1951

15 augusti 1938

13 augusti 1950

15 augusti 1944

24 septembris 1934

03 octobris 1935

09 septembris 1943

15 septembris 1939

08 decembris 1948

26 iulii 1936

09 augusti 1953

08 decembris 1958

25 septembris 1935

14 maii 1941

12 decembris 1933

25 septembris 1948

15 septembris 1940

15 augusti 1949

18 iulii 1960

30 iulii 1933

11 octobris 1946

09 iulii 1948

10 octobris 1928

15 augusti 1940

05 septembris 1935

15 augusti 1939

09 iulii 1947

MONIALES ET SORORES

08 decembris 2004

12 decembris 2004

19 decembris 2004

10 ianuarii 2005

16 ianuarii 2005

27 ianuarii 2005

07 aprilis 2005

18 aprilis 2005

06 maii 2005

28 mai 2005

Sr. Raffaella (Giuseppina) Bechini

Sr. M. Amelia (Marina) Ferronato

Sr. M. Lilia (Lorenza) Villani

Sr. Rubea Bertuzzi

Sr. Concetta Sloan

Sr. Rosalie O`Reilly

Sr. Marta de Nossa Senhora Bontorin

Sr. Adelaide (Antonina) Rappa

Sr. Gregory Marron

Sr. Irene Burke

Inst. S.P.S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa)

Inst. S.P.S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa)

Inst. S.P.S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa)

Inst. S.P.S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa)

Inst. Crucis et Passionis (Anglia)

Inst. Crucis et Passionis (Anglia)

Inst. S.P.S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa)

Inst. S.P.S. Paulo a Cruce (Signa)

Inst. Crucis et Passionis (Anglila)

Inst. Crucis et Passionis (Anglia)

1915

1934

1914

1933

1916

1911

1918

1911

1913

1904

19 maii 1938

15 septembris 1951

04 iunii 1931

28 februarii 1959

13 maii 1940

19 martii 1950

20 octobris 1934

19 maii 1938

13 maii 1940

01 septembris 1929

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GENERAL COUNCILSuperior GeneralP. Ottaviano D'Egidio, C.PLuis Alberto Cano, C.P.Augusto Canali, C.P.Jefferies Foale, C.P.Luigi Vaninetti, C.P.Robert Joerger, C.P.Vital Otshudialokoka C.P.Procurator GeneralUmberto Palmerini, C.P.Secretary GeneralFloriano De Fabiis, C. P. Passionist Curia

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