MISSION IN ITALY. FEBRUARY 2007

I left London to start a new mission in Italy on the first of February. Rome was the first stop. I always treasure my visits to Rome. I feel I’m reporting to Saint Peter and I actually am in many ways. I religiously visit Saint Peter’s Basilica for Mass and adoration. This time I was present for the first Friday’s evening Mass with Pope Benedict XVI. It was a magnificent and anointed evening, a great beginning for my mission in Italy and an invigorating ground for me as a missionary. 

The next day I began the mission with a talk to couples that were preparing for matrimony at San Cesareo, a small city just 30 minutes away from Rome by train.

Preaching to couples who will be husbands and wives in a world like the one we live in today and during times such as these, is something challenging to say the least. Among them were persons that were non-believers and also non-Catholics. They were there going through the steps of preparation for a Catholic wedding as a sample of love towards their partners. A good show of interest in a real charitable and loving relationship, but a difficult challenge anyways. I find that interfaith marriages could turn to be very, very difficult.

I presented a view of life within the territory of family where regardless of faith, one has to acquire a sense of responsibility toward one another, beyond human expectations, and therefore the great need to spiritualize such a relationship in order to make it last and protect it from the battles against the forces which will come to try to do away with it.

To bring God in their midst was the theme. I pray that this message was heard and planted in their hearts. This world is in dire need of families centered on the love of God. Otherwise, we’ll have more animalistic marriages between the same sexes and soon, between man and animal, because I’m sure that human atheist science will come up with a justification soon for a man to be able to marry his mule lover and later to adopt a child.  Lets not be surprised about it. Pray, pray, and pray, because these are the times! 

I went to the province of Puya to the cities of Bitonto, Giovinazo and Bari. In Bitonto, we had a beautiful and anointed evening at the Basilica of the doctor Saints Cosmes and Damiano. A very old story of sainthood of two brothers that were doctors and through them, God performed the most amazing miracles of healing. People have been visiting the Basilica for centuries and centuries, and the miracles don’t cease to happen. The testimonies are endless. 

Giovinazo is a city nearby, and we had a powerful gathering at the local church of Saint Paul of the Cross. The priest has been strongly renewed in his pilgrimages to Medjugorje, and in the midst of a very strong Marian congregation. I preached to them about a true conversion in the light of the many messages of our Lady throughout the centuries.

It was a blessing to be among them and to see a parish renewed and vibrant with the Holy Spirit strongly guiding them. One leaves there fill with hope. 

I visited the Shrine of Santo Angelo. The Shrine of Saint Michael the Archangel. The most famous and powerful apparitions of an Angel of God ever. He appeared to a Bishop 1400 years ago and later he appeared to two more persons. The site is so powerful and only twenty minutes away from Saint Giovany Rotondo, Padre Pio’s monastery. I could read a sign at the entrance which read this way: THIS IS THE TERRIBLE ENTRANCE TO HEAVEN. I was told that Saint Francis of Assisi didn’t enter the shrine because he felt he wasn’t worthy of it. I felt like not entering after hearing this. If such a Saint felt that way, what could I feel? I prayed and went ahead and entered. It was powerful and unforgettable. I had an inner locution with Saint Michael that I will never forget and if my spiritual father allows me one day, I’ll share it through this diary. 

I went back to Rome to preach at the weekend conference of Divine Mercy: an alliance between the Medugorje Queen of Peace Italian movement, and the apostles of Divine Mercy consecrated by John Paul II. The first day was held at a convent in Frascaty, one hour away from Rome. The Franciscan missionaries sisters of the poor. A beautiful and ancient place. The second day was in Rome at Santo Angelo Church, just one block away from The Vatican grounds. This Church was consecrated by John Paul II as the national Divine Mercy shrine and treasures a relic of Saint Faustina donated by the same Pope.

The two days where filled with beautiful activities of prayer, praising, and great preaching.

One could actually live the spirit of the Divine Mercy spirituality. Saint Faustina was present in a magnificent way. The presence of Our Lady Queen of Peace, who was being honored through the weekend also, was vivid and powerful.

The Santo Spirito Church is a very old one, and the sisters of Saint Faustina’s congregation are the administrators of the Church. One can find there all kinds of information, relics, books,…etc. about the Divine Mercy apostolate.

The next day we flew to Palermo in Sicily where we started a five-day mission in Catania, Syracuse, Missilmeri and Palermo. It was a wonderful and strong experience. The Italians of this island are very expressive in their Catholic faith. This will be a place rather intimidating for a protestant. The fact is that there are hardly any on the Island.

It is my second time to mission in Sicily, and I look forward to coming back. It really boosts my enthusiasm of being a Catholic.

I could speak about the beauty of the landscapes and old architectural treasures of Italy, especially those sacred and religious ones, but I like to concentrate on the mission trail only, on what is strictly related to the encounter with the souls in every individual parish, monastery, convent, prayer group, conference, and retreats.

I have I lot of hope for the Catholic faithful of Italy to continue the awakening of their faith which was gradually growing more and more dormant. Today, one can feel that it is actually in a true spring time. Praise the Lord!