In a quick response to Father Volantino's request for one representative from our Mexican and American Communities, Friar Picchignito (our PFGSM formator in Mexico and lecturer of Dogmatic Theology at the seminary in Matamoros, MX), and Fr. Antonio (our current USA servant superior here in Louisiana), departed for Rome for the Priestly ordination of Father Francesco Maria Srazieri in the basilica of "San Sebastiano fuori le mura" (Saint Sebastian beyond the Walls) on January 7th, 2024 - feast day of the Baptism of Jesus.





First passing through Lisbon Portugal to visit Fr. Picchignito's mother and brother, with a visit to Fatima for Mass, and a Meditated Rosary with our groups of prayer in Viseo (Northern Portugal), the two priests arrived in Rome to join our fellow Italian friars and nuns for this monumental occasion.




 
The ordination was celebrated by Mons. Dario Gervasi, the bishop of the Southern sector of Rome, in communion with Mons. Rumero, Bishop of Noto (our General headquarters) and Bishop Gordinella (Bishop of Mazara del Vallo, where Fr. Francesco will exercise his ministry).
 
The following day, Fr. Francesco, affectionately called "Fr. Ciccio" by Mons. Gervasi, celebrated his first Mass at the church of "Sant'Andrea delle Fratte" in which we only later came to know (to our great joy and suprise) was the same church where St. Maximillian Maria Kolbe (one of our four patron saints) had celebrated his first Mass.





Our community was then blessed with the suprise visit of Mons. De Nicolo, the emeritus-Prefecture of the Papal Household in the Vatican (and who helped greatly in getting our constitutions canonically approved).

Praise to God, Fr. Ciccio is now our community's seventh priest to be ordained a Priest. Please pray for many more vocations to our community of Holy Priests, Friars and Nuns.