A flood of love and prayers

 

 

Insieme a Mons. Aguirre
Ensemble avec Mgr Aguirre,

 

A flood of love and prayers

Friday, February 23rd was the day chosen for the official announcement of my appointment from Fr. Aurelio to bishop of Bangassou. At 12pm, the Vatican Press Office published the news, and until that time there was absolute secrecy.

The Nuncio wanted to choose our community of Carmel, here in Bangui. So I notified the community of a general visit by the Nuncio with some guests, towards the end of the morning.

At the same time, Fr Federico, our provincial superior, had summoned his brothers and friends to Arenzano to communicate the news.

The Nuncio arrived at around 11:20am, together with Monsignor Juan Josè Aguirre, bishop of Bangassou since 2000. There was also the bishop of Bouar, the diocese where I worked for more than 30 years, and the bishop of Bossangoa, president of the Episcopal Conference. Along with the young theology students, who returned from school earlier than usual. But no one knew the actual news…

We went to the chapel, where we prayed the psalms of the Median Hour, and then the Nuncio began to read the announcement of the nomination. It was a surprise for everyone!

Spontaneously one of the students began to sing the Te Deum, the hymn of thanks to God, and I hugged Mons Aguirre, the bishops, p,Mesmin, p. Cyriaque, and all the young people.

I took the floor and began... "Today, 50 years ago, a Carmelite became bishop of Bari (Cardinal Ballestrero). And today, February 23, 1952, my dad and my mom were married! From heaven they certainly are rejoicing over this..."

After lunch we quickly visited the construction site, and then with Mons Aguirre we went to the city, and we started to discuss, talk, get to know each other and prepare some plans: I am going to Bangassou immediately after Easter, to start getting to know the diocese, the priests and the people, and to visit some parishes, before the rains prevent it. It will be a very intense 2 months!

On June 9th there will be the episcopal consecration here in Bangui. Unfortunately it will not be possible to do it in Bangassou, due to the impossible roads, and also due to the lack of reception facilities.

The next day I asked to meet our seminarians. In Bangassou there is the minor seminary, but for high school and theology they have to come to Bangui.  This means leaving their diocese and family for a few years before returning. Together with Mons Aguirre, we met them in the two seminaries that welcomed them: it was beautiful to spend time with them, to see the affection that binds them to Mons Aguirre, and the desire to give themselves to God and the Church.

Sunday morning I left for Baoro. But... a few kilometers away I was stopped, then we continued, and after a couple of kilometers we met the mayor, and some young people on motorbikes who led the procession, and we entered the city.

I walked the last stretch, surrounded by the joy and enthusiasm of so many people!

In recent days I have received hundreds and hundreds of messages from many people, from all over the world!

It's nice to know that you're surrounded by so much affection and so much prayer!

Il Nunzio Apostolico legge l'annuncio della nomina
Le Nonce Apostolique lit l'annonce de la nomination

Con i seminaristi di Bangassou
Avec les grand séminaristes de Bangassou à Bangui

Il sindaco di Baoro
le Maire de Baoro