Every year i make a point to visit Padre Pio's tomb and spend time in prayer. This year i decided to do it this week as our new general procura Br. Antonio was going down to Foggia for some work. He took me to one of the oldest friary in Serracapriola which is about 450 year old. This is the friary where young Padre Pio lived for some time. It is a beautiful structure and the beauty of it is in the construction. The old brick walls look very ancient and give you the feeling of witnessing the hard work of the friar.
I had the opportunity to celebrate the Holy Mass this morning and the homily was delivered by Br. Antonio. He is terrific preacher. He literally shook the little chapel. My God, the mastery over Italian language is terrific. Today the faithful were literally hanging on his lips. He broke the Gospel message in very concrete and practical manner. He said that witnessing to the person of Jesus is the responsibility of each Catholic. He even touched the issue of economic crisis in Europe due to our lost sense of Jesus as the saviour.
This house conducts various programs for the laity. Since yesterday there were 10 young men who are contemplating of joining the capuchin Order. They come every month for discernment. It is a well organised program where the Provincial councilor is responsible. They invest energy and money too in order to have good vocations for the Order.
In this friary i met one Friar named Fr. Luigi who is 90 years old but still active and drives his car. He has been provincial and preacher in Foggia. Speaking to him about the present situation of the Order he commented that if we all live our fraternal and prayer life well, there will never be lack of vocations. He said we have failed in giving witness to our capuchin charism.
We drove down to Foggia to be in Provincial curia.
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