Between
Christmas and New Year
After Christmas,
Saturday, December 29th we had a great gift: the ordination of Brother
Michael to the Diaconate. Brother Michael is the young Carmelite who made the
Solemn Profession of Vows on December 8th, and on Saturday December
29thhe became a Deacon. The Diaconate is the first step of the priesthood. The
Acts of the Apostles tell us that in the very early beginnings the Church
(Peter, James and others) understood that it was necessary to choose people to
be in charge of the "service" of the poor. And so they chose some
Christians (including Stephen) and laid their hands on them (as a consecration
and outpouring of the Holy Spirit). Brother Michael will have as his mission
the proclamation of the Word (is the deacon who reads the Gospel during the
Mass) and the service, especially to the poorest.
Don Tonino Bello
said that the apron is the only liturgical vestment worn by Jesus. "Stole
and apron are the upright and the reverse side of the same sacred vestment: the
stole that makes us ministers of the Gospel and the apron that makes us the
feet-washers of the world. Indeed, even better, they are like the height and
width of a single service cloth; the service rendered to God and the service
offered to others ".
So, on Saturday
morning, there was a big celebration in our Carmel community in Bangui for the
occasion where we welcomed His Eminence Cardinal Nzapalainga, archbishop of
Bangui. He often came to Carmel when there were thousands of refugees present
and he was amazed to see the difference now that they left. The liturgy took
place in one of the several sheet iron roofs, in order to welcome all the
people: choirs, dancers, altar boys, many priests and young Carmelites. All of
them contributed to a beautiful celebration, vibrant but attentive, joyful but
also respectful of silence. After the homily, the Cardinal placed his hands on
Brother Michael, and with the prayer of consecration made him a deacon. The
ceremony lasted about two and a half hours, which passed very quickly.
It is now
Saturday and I have to return to Bozoum for the celebration of Sunday
Masses! After eating a quick bite, I
take the road to Bozoum: the usual 400 km, of which 250 are in very bad shape.
I leave Bangui at 2.00 pm, and I will get to Bozoum at 8.15 pm.
Sunday December 30th
we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth. It is an opportunity to
remember this great reality, the family, and to celebrate the wedding anniversaries,
from 3 to 44 years! On Monday, December 31st we celebrate Mass as
thanks for the year 2018 that is about to end. The afternoon and the evening were
delighted by shouts and songs and by the endless repetition of "Bonne
année".
And "Bonne
année" to all of you!
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| Anniversari di matrimonio Anniversaires de mariage |
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