Official Visitation to the Most Holy Trinity Region (CN)
The Official Visitation to the Most Holy Trinity Region (CN), consisting of Cameroon and Nigeria, was done by Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, Rector General from 31st January 2012 to 16 February 2012. He was accompanied by Fr. Norbert Sequeira, Assistant to the General Bursar. This Region, with a history of more than a hundred years of Pallottine presence, has at the moment 126 members and is rapidly growing. The apostolic works are primarily centred on parish ministry. One of the new apostolic activities is the primary school dedicated to the founder of the Pallottine mission in Cameroon, Msgr Henri Vieter.
The mission in Nigeria was established in 2007, largely through the initiative of Fr. Peter Hillen. This is certainly a promising missionary initiative. 5 Nigerian confreres are already ordained priests and there are many students in formation. The vocations are plenty in this strongly Catholic country. It is also a new mission which can work towards a certain financial self-sufficiency right from the beginning, also because the local people are very generous and creative.
As a whole, the Most Holy Trinity Region has the potentiality to grow into a strong Pallottine entity in Africa provided it is developed with a certain long-term vision and planning. The key to success remains the formation of committed members with a strong love for the Society.
Fr. Cedric Linsay Seery (CJ.SA)
Let us pray for our deceased Confrere:
Fr. Cedric Linsay Seery (CJ.SA), South Africa, born 18.10.1919; First Consecration 08.09.1948; Priestly Ordination 29.06.1952; died 09.02.2012.
Solemnity of St. Vincent Pallotti 2012
From the 19th to the 22nd of January 2012, inspired by the motto: "Let he holiness of God shine forth" (cf Mt. 5,16), members of the Pallottine Family in Rome and its environs initiated the Celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of St. Vincent Pallotti's Canonization (1963 -2013). Concelebrated Eucharists took place in the central Roman churches significant for the history and identity of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, intending to bring St. Vincent into the heart of the Roman Church. The program was as follows:
19 January – "St. Vincent in the heart of the Church of Rome"PHOTO
In the Parish of Saints Blaise and Charles ai Catinari Fr. Antonio Lotti, SAC, Provincial Rector of the Queen of Apostles Province, Italy, presided over the Mass. Fr. Artur Stępień SAC (WA, Poland) shared his own vocation story. Students from the Urban College of Propaganda Fide organized and led the celebration. After Communion Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, Rector General of the SAC, read the letter from the Apostolic Penitentiary which, by special mandate of the Supreme Pontiff, grants the possibility to obtain a plenary indulgence, under the usual conditions, in the Church of SS. Salvatore in Onda.
In the morning Mass was celebrated in the Church of SSS Salvatore in Onda, led by the students of the Mother of Divine Love School and the young girls of the Pia Casa di Carità. In the afternoon, in the Parish of San Lorenzo in Damaso, His Excellency Julio Akamine, SAC, Auxiliary Bishop of São Paulo, Brasil, presided over the Liturgy. Sr. Rinì Panakkal CSAC (India) offered her witness. Songs and readings were led by Sisters from the Congregation of Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate (CSAC). Of special significance was the renewal of Baptismal Promises in the same Church where on 22 April 1795 St. Vincent Pallotti received his own Baptism. In addition the candle used during the canonization of St. Vincent Pallotti (20th January 1963) was re-lit, and will be kept for the entire jubilee year in the Church of SS. Salvatore in Onda.
21 January – "St. Vincent and growth in the Christian Life"PHOTO
Fr. Derry Murphy, SAC, President of the Union of Catholic Apostolate, presided over the Mass in the Parish of Santa Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova). Pallottine witness was given by Ms. Cheryl Sullivan (Australia). The Liturgy was organized and led by the members of the annual course in Pallottine spirituality and the UAC Choir led the singing.
22 January – Solemnity of St. Vincent PallottiPHOTO
Members of various components of the UAC prayed Vespers and the Rosary with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, all of which "Radio Maria" transmitted to all of Italy. Fr. Jacob Nampudakam, SAC, Rector General of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate presided over the Mass which was animated by the Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate with the UAC Choir once again leading the singing.
This solemn Triduum opened the celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of St. Vincent Pallotti's Canonization and we sensed a real communion with all the Pallottine Family in all the world. We are convinced that this jubilee year will be one of special graces, in which we are called upon to rededicate ourselves wholeheartedly to a thorough revival of our life to serve better and live more authentically the Gospel values, as St. Vincent Pallotti so ardently desired. Our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in and collaborated with the organizational tasks in the parishes, to the parishes themselves for their hospitality, and to Radio Maria for transmitting our celebration by radio.
Plenary Indulgence
On 18th January 2012, the Apostolic Penitentiary, with the special mandate of the Pope granted the possibility of obtaining with the following conditions (Sacramental Confession, reception of Communion and prayer for the Pope's intentions) a PLENARY INDULGENCE, during the Jubilee Year. This year is celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Canonisation of St Vincent Pallotti beginning January 20th 2012 and which will finish officially on January 20th 2013 to all the pilgrims who will visit the Church of San Salvatore in Onda.
Website - 50th of the Canonisation of St. V. Pallotti
A website was created on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Canonisation of St Vincent Pallotti: www.unionofcatholicapostolate.org. The website will be an instrument principally for supplying information and news from the Committee "The Pallottine Family Celebrates" regarding the celebrations and the progress of the jubilee year and for receiving news and information about local initiatives from wherever the Pallottine family is present. This website is a gift from the Epiphany of the Lord Province (NA) and was designed by Fr. George Madeikkal, Manager, and Professors R.B.Gowardhan and Ashish Lawrence of St. Vincent Pallotti College of Engineering and Technology in Nagpur, India, belonging to the same Province.
Meeting of the three Core Communities
The first meeting of the Year 2012 of the three Core Communities of the Union of Catholic Apostolate took place on 28th January 2012 at the Generalate House of the Missionary Sisters of the Catholic Apostolate. All the members of the 3 General Council, except one, were present at the meeting this time. The agenda consisted of the following main points: sharing of the main developments in the three Communities since the last meeting; evaluation of the Tridum of St. Vincent Pallotti; further reflections on the Golden Jubilee of the Canonization of St. Vincent Pallotti; evaluation of the recently concluded General Assembly of the Union, and assessment of the one year course on Pallottine formation. The evaluation of the UAC General Assembly made the Core Communities aware of the important responsibility that they have in the promotion of Pallottine charism (cfr. General Statutes of the UAC, nn. 34 & 35); the UAC is not to be seen as a reality "out there" apart from these three communities but all of us together make this Ecclesial reality. The next meeting is scheduled for 31 May 2012.
Let us pray for our deceased Confrere:
On 18th January 2012, the Apostolic Penitentiary, with the special mandate of the Pope granted the possibility of obtaining with the following conditions (Sacramental Confession, reception of Communion and prayer for the Pope's intentions) a PLENARY INDULGENCE, during the Jubilee Year. This year is celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Canonisation of St Vincent Pallotti beginning January 20th 2012 and which will finish officially on January 20th 2013 to all the pilgrims who will visit the Church of San Salvatore in Onda.
