A wise man said, "Every man
is a missionary, now and forever, for good or for evil, whether he intends or
designs it or not."
Today, eleventh of March, fourth
Sunday of the Lent, we celebrate the Sunday of joy, Lætare. And we Orionine
are also celebrating the "Orionine Mission Sunday", the Mission Day
of the children of Don Orione. This, brethren, is for all of us, especially,
for you. Because we are the beneficiaries of the Orionine mission. The theme of
this day is, "The Mission at the Center of Orionine's life".
You all know who Don Orione is.
He was called, "Apostle of Charity", the Apostle of love. For Saint
Luigi Orione, charity is the ultimate expression of love. The Love of God as we
have heard in the Gospel today is also called Charity. And Saint Luigi Orione
believes that, 'Charity, and only Charity will save the world'.
We have heard in the Good News
that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone
who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." And
this is the center of the life of Saint Luigi Orione, to give to each person
the opportunity to see and experience God's love for the world. Through the works
of mercy, and acts of charity, he taught us how to bring Christ to those in
need, the disables, the orphans, the poor, the neglected and marginalized of
our societies.
This day is an invitation for us
to be like Saint Luigi Orione, missionaries of God's love towards others. We
are all called to be missionaries. Because the mission is not just for some.
All followers of Christ are missionaries of his love, missionaries charity, and
missionaries God's mercy.
Twenty-seven years ago, the first
Orionine Missionaries arrived here in the Philippines. There are so many
people, and we are still also part of those who beneficiated of the fruit of
their mission. We know about the Cottolengo Filipino in Montalban. We know all
the marvelous work of the PAOFI (Payatas Orione Foundation Inc.) in Payatas and
many more… Time has come now, for us also to be missionaries, lovers of
charity.
Young people, this is a special
call to you. Enter the seminary to become Sons of Divine Providence, giver of
love to others. Enter the sisters’ convents to become Little Missionary Sisters
of Charity, handmaid of God's love for those in need. Until then the missionaries
will be just people from outside, foreigners. What are you waiting for to
become also a missionary?
You, parents, help your children to become
missionaries of love like Don Orione's children. Tomorrow, 12th of
March, we will commemorate the 78th anniversary of his death. Let us
pray that, through his intercession, many more youth should embrace his
charisma and become missionary of love throughout the world.
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