”Friends of Don Orione, Friends of Christ”

Another remarkable celebration who was believed to be the foundation of mutual participations of the religious and lay people. On the 16^th of every month, the Montalban Community - seminary, the novitiate and Cottolengo Filipino - is remembering the canonization of St. Luigi Orione as it was declared by St. John Paul II on May 16, 2004. The Orionight, etymologically from Don Orione’s name and was compressed with night means a night of culmination: cavalcade of singing and dancing in honor to the Saint Founder. The commemoration began with the solemn celebration of the Holy Eucharist presided by Fr. Anthony, the Superior of the community, assisted by Fr. Stefan, Community Vicar and Fr. Stan as the in-charge of the seminary.

St. Luigi Orione reminds us the virtue of charity which is whispering sweetly in our ears in listening to the cry of the world. The virtue of charity creates a bridge to God who is the Divine Providence - through in which all things comes from Him. The beauty of charitable act should vanquish the borders of civilization - so does with our charisms.

The community always compelled to the main advocacy of the Congregation, “Bringing Christ to the people, and His people to the Church.” This gathering joyfully celebrates the unending graces from our lay people, through their unselfish support - financial assistance and prayers. The religious and seminarians have proven themselves as worthy servants and now friends with one mind and heart in response to the challenges of faith. Now the community is organizing the Orionine Lay Movement, the third order of the Congregation who are willing to consecrate their lives in Don Orione’s teachings. Through the participation of the laity, the congregation can bring hope to those in need. The congregation can respond to the suffering of our neighbor.

In prolongation to the ecclesiastic response of the Congregation, we have been established the union of the lay persons realizing that they are the most vital figure of Christ’s body - the church. St. John Paul II mentioned the “Signum Fraternitatis” in connection to the celebration of Year of the Consecrated Life that religious should wake up the world. The outpouring help of the Friends of Don Orione gives the world a wonderful picture of humanity of love and service at its best “to establish all things in Christ”. So this Orionight was under the title of Friends of Don Orione, Friends of Christ.

Sem. Pablo Jordan,

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