…Hope
“Twice already we had run away with our people to reach safety during the guerrilla attacks. Once I escaped only by a miracle: some young people protected me from those who wanted to harm me.
Once safe, the people asked me: ‘Why do you run such risks for us?’ I answered: ‘How could I talk to you of God if I did not know how to live at risk with you? Since you are my family, your children are mine too. I stay here for this…
But, how the human heart can change! It soon goes from ‘Hosanna!’ to ‘Crucify him!’ You could say that palm branches change into swords. But we hope in the contrary: that swords be changed into peace branches.”
“The Eucharist is the strength and
the vitality of our missions, because from it come the courage and the virtues
which give birth to martyrs.”
Blessed Guido Conforti
…Vocation
“In our parish is Sao Paulo, a group of people have taken to heart the prayer for vocations: one hour of adoration for vocations, from six to seven in the morning. The initiative came from Teresa, wife of Josè, the bricklayer. It’s not easy to go out at that time, but love for vocations makes them overcome the difficulty. This is their prayer:
“Lord Jesus, together with you, we wish to talk to the heart of the Father. We want that your presence continue in our midst through people who leave all to build the civilization of love. Increase, Lord, vocations to the priestly and missionary life.
Give us holy priests, persons faithful to you, to your Kingdom, to your people. Amen.”
The flourishing of religious and missionary vocations depends on the frequent approach to the Eucharistic banquet.
Blessed Guido Conforti
…Sacrifice
"My mother has accepted to live in an assisted living home so as not to put an obstacle to my return to Africa.
In the home she has become a great mission promoter. I’ve returned to the mission of the Congo to be in the midst of these people and share their difficult daily life and the hope for a better tomorrow. I am deeply attached to God, to his word and to his grace. As a missionary, I feel as one in the faith with so many people who bring the Gospel throughout the world. Life is a gift and a treasure. With God’s help I want to give it hands-full for the happiness of all.
This also is a gesture of humble and joyous sharing: I want to give back a bit of the love I have received.”
“While the sacrifice of the Cross lasted a few hours, that on the altar will last to the end of times, with no limit of space.”
Blessed Guido Conforti
…Mission
"When I was thirty, my gaze crossed that of Jesus. I perceived his gaze and I did not turn away; I let him look at me. I felt him asking: ‘daniel, do you love me?’ And the more I was fixed on the Crucifix, the more I sensed how much he is able to love me. Without being aware of it, I started calling God ‘Daddy’, as a child who is talking his first steps. The Lord was inviting me to walk and to rest, where he himself is, I rest with him, because I cannot stay still; resting with him, I am always on the go. Now I am a missionary. Following the Lord on the world’s roads, I shall be messenger of Christ to proclaim that to be with Christ or without him is not the same thing.”
“Of all the means of evangelization one deserves priority: it is the frequent sharing in the Eucharistic banquet, source of life, strength and life.”
Blessed Guido Conforti
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)