On the liturgical solemnity of All Saints, 1 November, the anniversary of the profession of eight brothers was celebrated in Pagani: three of them were celebrating their 70th year of religious consecration, and five their 60th.
Pompeo Franciosa has worked for many years in the field of formation and parish ministry. There is also Fr Alfonso Santonicola, who in his lifetime has preached 288 popular missions. And with them, Fr Pasquale Vicidomini, who spent many years in the Marianella house and dedicated his life to teaching.
In the group celebrating sixty years of the profession, we find two faces known to many confreres also abroad: Fr. Sabatino Majorano, who taught moral theology for many years at the Alphonsian Academy; and Fr. Paolo Saturno, author of many Alphonsian musical compositions, and creator of several CDs distributed in various parts of the Redemptorist world. Then there is Fr. Antonio Di Masi, a biblical scholar who was also Provincial Superior and Bursar several years ago. Fr Antonio Pasquarelli dedicated his life to the apostolate of the press. Fr Giovanni Pauciulo used to work as a parish priest in rural and city contexts.
On the evening of 1 November, the Basilica of St Alphonsus in Pagani was filled with the faithful. Of course, the Mass was enlivened by the Alphonsian Choir, established by Fr Paolo Saturno. It was a beautiful ceremony, and at the same time, simple and solemn. The emotion and sense of gratitude for the generous work done over the years by these brothers were evident in the eyes of all – despite the masks – but above all for what these brothers have been and continue to be, in the light of Constitution 55: we are always missionaries, even when our strength is lacking we are left with prayer, witness and love as formidable instruments to make Redemption more abundant.
Fr. Serafino Fiore, C.Ss.R.
