Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Pyay (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops, Clergy, Religious and the Faithful of Pyay Diocese have had the honor of offering a warm welcome to Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, the Apostolic Delegate to Myanmar, who paid a visit to Pyay Diocese for the first time from 21 to 22 March 2009. His first visit was happily coincided with the two significant events: The first special event was the Year of St. Paul and the Cathedral of Pyay Diocese which he visited was dedicated to the great Apostle St. Paul. The second happy event is the Priestly Ordination of three Deacons of Pyay Diocese.
On the afternoon of 21 March 2009, when the Apostolic Delegate arrived at the entrance of the complex of the Bishop’s House of Pyay Diocese, the entire Catholic community welcomed him with Myanmar songs and duet dances. In the afternoon of the very first day of the visit he paid a visit to St. Paul’s Minor Seminary and the religious community of Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM). In the evening the diocese gave him an official welcome with Mass at the Cathedral of Pyay Diocese, furing which he joined the faithful in praying “the Prayer for the Holy Father, the Pope,” encouraging them to pray for the Holy Father's intentions. They responded joyfully with songs and applauses.
The next day, Sunday March 22, there was a Mass with the priestly ordination of three deacons, presided by Archbishop Pennacchio. Those present at the Consecration ceremony were Bishop Gregory Taik Maung, the Apostolic Administrator of Pyay Diocese, Archbishop Charles Bo, Archbishop of Yangon and Bishop Justin Saw Min Thide, Auxiliary Bishop of Yangon. The ceremony was attended and concelebrated by 37 Priests. There were 1200 lay faithful, 50 Religious, 27 Minor and Major Seminarians, and 42 Catechists participating in the ceremony.
Since the day of the priestly Ordination fall on the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday), during his homily, the Apostolic Delegate made reflections on biblical readings of the day, encouraging the candidates to put trust in Christ who called them to participate in His priesthood, despite their weaknesses. He also reminded them to love the Eucharist which is the source and center of the life of the priests and the prolonged silent prayer before the altar cannot be substituted for anything else in the life of the priest. He said that through prayer, the spiritual life of the priest grows and he thus acquires the missionary energy of the most valuable apostles.
Finally, in the name of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, he thanked the parents and relatives of the candidates for the gift of their sons to the Church and urged the parents and relatives to assist the candidates in their future ministry through their prayers, inviting them to pray for more vocations and to trust in God’s grace and love. As he assured every one of the prayers of the Holy Father for them and their families, he reminded everyone to pray for the Holy Father. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2009)
