ASIA/INDONESIA - Anniversary of the Camillian mission in Flores

Thursday, 2 May 2019 development   healthcare   faith   evangelization  

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Maumere (Agenzia Fides) - "Easter was very much felt by the Catholic population and by the sick of Flores for the exceptional presence of the relic of the heart of St. Camillus, which arrived in Indonesia on the occasion of the 10 years of the foundation of the Camillian mission", says to Agenzia Fides Father Luigi Galvani, Camillian missionary engaged for years on the Indonesian island of Flores. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim country in the world. Catholics are only 5 percent and Good Friday was celebrated as a national holiday throughout the country. "This is to give Catholics the opportunity to live more seriously the historical event of the Passion and Death of Christ and to the Muslim faithful to respect the values of the Catholic faith", he explains.
"The welcome and enthusiasm aroused were beyond all expectations. The churches that had the privilege of hosting the relic of St. Camillus, in those few days, were the destination of several hundred faithful who also came from other cities and from the most remote villages of the island. The most touching moments were those lived in the wards of the three hospitals of the city", he continues.
"The heart of the Saint - emphasizes Fr. Galvani - seemed to instill in all the patients new confidence and hope of life. The stops in the hospital wards seemed to revive the scenes of charity lived by the Saint, more than 400 years ago, during the meetings with his favorite "lords and masters" in the hospitals of Rome and of various cities of Italy".
"Thanks to this particular event and the pastoral work of the Camillian missionaries - said Indonesian Catholic doctors and nurses - we now feel more in love with the charism of charity of St. Camillus, who saw in the sick the very presence of Jesus and suggested to be like Jesus when we serve them". (LG/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 2/5/2019)


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