The inauguration of the academic year of the Alphonsian Academy of Rome last October 26th was the site, at the same time, of a significant moment for the entire Redemptorist family, such as the conferring of the title of “Redemptorist Oblate” on five professors emeriti of the Academy: Msgr. Vincenzo Viva, bishop of the Diocese of Albano (Italy), Msgr. Basilio Petrà, Msgr. Mauro Cozzoli, Msgr. Valentino Cottini and Msgr. Sebastiano Viotti (the latter unable to be in Rome due to unforeseen commitments).
At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration presided over by Card. Louis Antonio Tagle in the church of St Alphonsus, the General Consultor Father Nicolas Ayouba, CSsR – in place of the Moderator General – presented everyone with a scroll as a sign of the even stronger bond that now binds them to the Congregation.
This conferment is the fruit of the gratitude and esteem that the Alphonsiana bestows on them for their service, over many years, for the benefit of the human and intellectual formation of its many students, and a testimony to the full sharing of the charism of the Redemptorist family.
“It is as if, from today, you are Redemptorists without vows,” concluded the President of Alphonsian Academy, Father Alfonso Amarante CSsR, adding that “if until today the ecclesial service of moral formation, loyalty and closeness have united us, from today what will join us more will be mutual prayer: the most significant benefit we can receive. We will pray for you, and you – we are sure – will pray for us”.
Rev. Lorenzo Pertusini – alfonsiana.org
