The year of the Priests is almost through. Considering all the problems connected with the scandals of men of the Church, I do believe that as Rogationists and in virtue of our specific charism we have to  continue to pray so that all the Priests and consecrated Persons may be “a genuine sign” of Christ’s loving presence in our world. This is very true   for each one of us among the people, the youth and  the boys, the Seminarians, the Confreres entrusted to our pastoral and fraternal care. What does it require to be “genuine sign” of Christ’s loving presence? As Saint Paul says we  have to “put on Christ”, that is to think as Christ thought, to act as Christ acted, to speak as Christ spoke, to LOVE AS CHRIST LOVED.  Let’s continue to work for the building up of the Kingdom of Christ in the best and most effective way is possible for us.

In the beautiful prayer addressed to God by St. Hannibal Mary offering himself to have a holy Priest for the city of Messina he said: “Infinite Goodness, send a true Apostle filled with your blessings: a priest pure, chaste, blameless, simple, gentle, sober, just, prudent, filled with the science of the Saints and every ecclesiastical and literary doctrine in order to fulfill his sublime ministry in the way most worthy of your glory”  (see Words on the Priesthood, Paranaque City, May 2010, p.48).  Let’s ask Jesus to give  us strength and consistency enough to the  Holy Priest and Religious as described in the prayer of St. Hannibal, our Founder and Father.