On Monday, July 15, 2019, the liturgical feast of St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, the friars of the Provincial Custody of St. Daniel and Companion Martyrs in Italy [Calabria], gave thanks to the Lord for the diaconal ordination of one of their brothers: Friar Diego CANINO.
This event had great spiritual and ecclesiastical depth. It was celebrated in Palmi, Italy at the parish church “Maria SS. del Rosario” which was packed with faithful. The Most Reverend Francesco MILITO, Bishop of the Diocese of Oppido Mamertina-Palmi presided over the Mass. He laid his hands on Friar Diego’s head and pronounced the prayer of consecration. The Provincial Custos, Friar Giorgio TASSONE, presented the newly ordained.
In his homily, the bishop invited Friar Diego and all those present to follow Christ the Servant, in the footsteps of the Poor One of Assisi, his living icon, embarking on that path that St. Bonaventure masterfully traced in his booklet “Itinerarium mentis in Deum”. Our whole life, he remarked, is an “itinerary”, a pilgrimage, a return to God, an ascent to He who is Love.
The Mass was concelebrated by eighteen priests and five deacons from the diocese, with animation provided by members of the “Renewal in the Spirit” movement. Others present included the new deacon’s classmates during his formation in Assisi, Friar Giuseppe Franco TONDO, Friar Gianluca CATAPANO, Friar Antonio GRASSI, Friar Pio Mikael PURBA and Friar Fictorium Natanael GINTING. Almost all the friars of the Custody attended, including Friar Francesco CELESTINO, Guardian of the Friary of the Twelve Holy Apostles in Rome, who was the first to guide the vocational path of Friar Diego, as his prior Provincial Custos and Director of Vocation and Youth Ministry.
The joyful event continued in the parish hall, where the Custody, in collaboration with various parish groups, namely, Caritas, the Secular Franciscans, Franciscan Youth, Renewal in the Spirit and the Neocatechumenal Way, provided everyone a rich menu and made them all savor the goodness of being brothers, in a climate of harmony and friendship.
Friar Piotr ANZULEWICZ, Custodial Secretary
