Ave Maria!

MISSIONARY DAY IN FRANCE

Pignans: October 24, 2010. by Fr. Michele M. Iorio, FI

Our confrere, Fr. Antonio M. Santoro knew that I was going to be in Italy for a period of..."rest", and so he invited me to make a "short visit" to France for the occasion of the Missionary Day that the Friars organize every year on the second last Sunday in October, held in the Shrine of Notre Dame des Anges di Pignans. I accepted the invitation with pleasure because I already knew the place, having been there two years earlier. I must say that I did not regret it. On the contrary! I arrived by plane the evening before and received an exquisite and warm welcome (in spite of the incipient cold) by these Friars, in this convent and shrine, isolated on a mountain, silent and beautiful, in such close contact with heaven. The day of October 24th was intense and fruitful. About a hundred devout and fervent people participated: men and women, old, young and children, all belonging to the different degrees of the M.I.M., as well as some other supporters.

The opening Mass (at 10:30am) of the 30th Sunday of Ordinary Time was presided over by the undersigned, Fr. Michele M. Iorio (missionary in Benin and "guest of honor" ), and was concelebrated by two other priest-confreres: Fr. Carlo M. Iellici, Superior of the House, and Fr. Antonio M. Santoro, Spiritual Assistant of the MIM. Fra Laurent M. Gloga served the Mass and led the songs, while some of the MIM read the readings. In my homily, I, Fr. Michele, inspired by the Liturgy of the Word and from the circumstances that united us, urged those present to always do the good but to do it with right intention so as to be truly acceptable to God. At the offertory, after the bread and wine were brought to the altar, a "missionary money bank" from last year here was also brought forward, filled with many donations, but even still more with sacrifices and prayers.

At the end of the Mass, there was another significant ceremony. The faithful drew near to the altar to take a new and empty "money bank" to be filled up by next year. In return they received a rose, which had been blessed ahead of time by the priest, to bring home as a sign and instrument of God's grace to be spread all around, especially to the benefit of those most in need, either in soul or body. Immediately after Mass, (which ended around 12pm) there was held the game of "tombola" (similar to bingo) in the convent, always with a missionary aim. More precisely, numbers were randomly drawn from a lottery in which the tickets had been sold months before by the same members of the MIM. The tickets, which were drawn by two innocent children, rewarded 12 people (some of whom generously re-donated the prize won), but there were also many other famous "consolation prizes." There was joy for all for the good outcome of the initiative. Two-thousand Euro were raised from this "tombolata." The morning was thus concluded by a "bagged lunch," consumed with great "Franciscan joy." At 2:30pm, according to the scheduled program, there was another significant moment: the general gathering of the Associazione Les Amis de la Mission des Franciscains de l’Immacululée, which, for some years now, has been juridically instituted to better work in favor of the missions. At the beginning of the reunion, Fr. Antonio better explained the sense of the Association and immediately afterwards, "guided" the voting of the members for the various offices. Then I was handed an "envelope" containing 2,000 Euro, for the works of the mission in Benin, of which I am the superior. At this point, I was invited to speak, and rightly so I started by cordially thanking them for so much generosity and even more, for their affections and sharing of ideals. Then, I assured them of my prayers, as well as those of my confreres, for all their desires and needs. Naturally, I also briefly spoke about the mission, in particular about the boarding school on which we have just begun working for the poor boys of Bemberekè.

I must clarify that other than the aforementioned "envelope", my confreres also handed me other offerings for the celebration of Holy Masses, as well as a laptop computer which is very useful there in Benin. And thus the day concluded, with a prayer and final blessing, to the great satisfaction of all the participants, but certainly even more so to that of the Lord Jesus, the Virgin Mary and our Patron Saints. I must sincerely say that I was very struck by these brothers and sisters linked to our Institute through the same consecration to the Immaculate. I was struck, edified and even animated by their mutual brotherhood, by their sincere link to the Friars of the community (generously helped by them), by their founded and serious Christian and Catholic spirituality, and finally, by their dedication to the "cause of the mission." I encourage them to always do more and better, above all, to continue to render testimony to the Gospel and to the Faith in a world that seems to have lost the right path. And with Our Lady the journey is truly easy and happy. I profit by this occasion to give my best wishes to those members of the MIM who, next December 8th, the beautiful solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, will either make their Perpetual Profession or their Investiture in the TOFI. As a singular grace, the Bishop of the Diocese, Mons. Domenique Rey will be present for the occasion.

But I also want to congratulate my confreres of the community at Pignans because they carry out a beautiful work for the service of the Institute, the MIM and the missions with conviction and enthusiasm. Among other things, they print the monthly magazine "La Mission de l'Immaculée Mediatrice," many books from Casa Mariana (translated in French), laminated Miraculous Medals cards in diverse languages, pamphlets, calendars, bulletins... The Marian House in France seems to realize in a unique way our contemplative-active charism because the convent is isolated on a mountain and is normally unfrequented, and on the other hand the Friars are so committed to "missionary" work. May daily, ardent prayer always sustain them in their apostolic fervor and on their long, spiritual journey, through the mediation of the Immaculate Virgin!