POPE VISITS MISSIONARIES OF THE DIVINE WORD July 11, 2012
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Priesthood, SVD, Vatican.Tags: Fr. Dennis Callan SVD, Fr. Giancarlo Girardi SVD, Fr. Heinz Kulüke SVD, Fr. Jerome Marquez SVD, Fr. Johannes Schütte SVD, Fr. Pat Byrne SVD, Fr. Tony Pernia SVD, Pope Benedict XVI
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Photo Credits: Fr. Dennis Callan, SVD and Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD
ROME, JULY 9, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI today made a private visit to the “Ad Gentes Centre” of the Missionaries of the Divine Word, located in the village of Nemi, close to his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.
As the Vatican Information Service explained it was in that building, then called the International Centre of the Society of the Divine Word, that the Vatican Council II Commission on Missions met from 29 March to 3 April 1965.
Among the participants was a young theologian and expert of the conciliar assembly, Joseph Ratzinger.
Since January 2010 it has taken the name of the “Ad Gentes Centre”
Photo Credits: Fr. Dennis Callan, SVD and Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD
The Holy Father was welcomed on his arrival at Nemi by Fr. Heinz Kuluke, superior general elect; Fr. Antonio Pernia superior general, and Fr. Giancarlo Girardi, procurator general. He then went to the chapel to meet with the 150 participants in the general chapter of the order and the community of the Mother House in Rome.
A Vatican Radio report described the visit as a “very personal trip down memory lane” as he returned to the house overlooking Lake Nemi, the setting of his fondest and “most memorable” recollections of the Second Vatican Council.
In a short unscripted speech he described as how in 1965 as a “a very young theologian of no great importance,” to his eternal wonder he was invited by the then Superior General of the world-wide order and Council Father, Johannes Schütte, to take part in an “important and beautiful task, to prepare a decree on mission.”
Photo Credits: Fr. Dennis Callan, SVD and Fr. Jerome Marquez, SVD
“His arrival was electric”, said Fr. Pat Byrne SVD, provincial superior for Great Britain and Ireland said. “The very first thing he did was kneel before the altar and the Blessed Sacrament and we joined him in silent prayer.”
“I am truly grateful for this opportunity to see this house in Nemi once again, after 47 years,” Pope Benedict said.
“I have fond memories of it, perhaps the most memorable of the whole Council. I lived in the center of Rome, in the Collegio dell’Anima with all the noise. This too was nice, but staying here, surrounded by this greenery, having this breath of nature, this fresh air, was in itself a beautiful thing. And then, in the company of many great theologians and a such an important and beautiful task, to prepare a decree on mission.”
“First of all, I remember, the General of that time, Father Schütte, who had suffered in China, had been convicted, then expelled: he was full of missionary zeal, the need to give new impetus to the missionary spirit and had invited me – a very young theologian of no great importance – I do not know why, but it was a great gift for me. Then there was Fulton Sheen who would fascinate us in the evenings with his talks.”
“Thus, these days gave birth to a good and beautiful decree, almost unanimously accepted by all the Fathers of the Council and which, for me, was also a very good complement to Lumen Gentium, from which we find a Trinitarian ecclesiology, that starts above all from the classical idea that bonum diffusivum sivi sui, good has the inherent need to communicate, to give of itself, it cannot remain self contained, the good thing, goodness itself is essentially communication,” the Pope continued.
“So, with these memories I have often thought of those days of Nemi that, as I said, are an essential part of the Council for me,” he added.
“And I’m happy to see that your Society flourishes – the Father General spoke of 6,000 members in many countries, from many nations. Clearly the missionary dynamic is alive, and it lives only if there is the joy of the Gospel, if we experience the good that comes from God and that must and wants to communicate itself.”
“Thank you for this dynamism. I wish you every blessing of the Lord for this Chapter, and a lot of inspiration: that the same forces inspiring power of the Holy Spirit that almost visibly accompanied us during those days may once again be present among you and help you find your path both for your Society and for the mission Ad gentes of the Gospel for the coming years,” the Pope concluded.
— from Xenit.org
BISHOP CHITO TAGLE IS THE NEW ARCHBISHOP OF MANILA! October 13, 2011
Posted by Fr. Felmar Castrodes Fiel, SVD in Pink Sisters, Priesthood, Vocation Story.Tags: Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle, Archdiocese of Manila, Bishop Antonio Tagle, Cardinal Rosales, Diocese of Imus, Pope Benedict XVI
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Photo Credit: Pauline Mangilog-Saltarin of http://pinaytraveller.com
The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of Cardinal Rosales as Archbishop of Manila and has appointed Bishop Luis Antonio “Chito” Tagle as his successor.
I was very happy upon receiving this good news! My great professor is now the new Archbishop of Manila! I first listened to his recollection talk at the Pink Sisters-Tagaytay in 2002. I was so moved that I told my companion, “he can be a good Cardinal!”
My seminarian companion replied: “Have you imagined Bishop as a Pope?” to which I immediately answered: “Yes! Why not?”
When we had our first day of classes with him in Theology of Priesthood, everybody was all ears. My classmates would sure agree that it was indeed a moment of awe. When we heard the ringing of the bell, nobody wanted to stand up. Bishop Tagle looked at us in surprise and asked us, “bakit hindi kayo tumatayo? Ayaw ba ninyong mag-break?” The good bishop received a chorus, “Bishop, gusto pa naming marinig kayong magsalita.”
He said that when he had his Light Talk program, many criticized him because he was interviewing people. They wanted him to do the talking, to which he said, “perhaps the people are not yet ready for a bishop who also knows how to listen.”
Bishop, eheste, Archbishop Chito – more power and more blessings! I am one with you in prayers. Below is the statement of Bishop Tagle:
“His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI appointed me, a humble servant, to succeed His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales to the Metropolitan See of Manila. I face this heavy responsibility with much trepidation. Leaving the Diocese of Imus, my beloved home, at the threshold of its Golden Jubilee is not easy. But faith in the gracious Lord and love of the Church give me strength. I know that I would find much good will and zeal for mission in the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Manila. In our openness to the Holy Spirit, we could render a joyful and robust witness to Jesus Christ, all for the glory of the Father and the good of the Church and of society, especially of the poor. I entrust the Archdiocese of Manila and my ministry to the loving care of our Lady, Mary Immaculate.” +Luis Antonio G. Tagle 13 October 2011
