Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Buenos Aires (Agenzia Fides) – Wednesday, November 3, marked the celebration in the chapel of the national office of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) of Argentina, of a Mass with the "Missionary Sending" of Fr. Dante De Sanzzi, during which he thanked God for the service he carried out for two years at the PMS and the whole Church, as National Secretary of the Pontifical Missionary Union (PMU). He has now been sent by his Diocese of San Justo to the diocesan mission of Sumbe, in Angola.
The celebration was presided over by Bishop Juan Horacio Suárez of the Diocese of Gregorio de Laferrere and member of the Bishops' Commission for Missions (CEA). Concelebrating were Fr. Osvaldo P. Leone (National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies) and Fr. Dante De Sanzzi.
In the statement sent to Fides by the PMS of Argentina, it states that before the Mass, Father Osvaldo Leone read the greeting and blessing of His Holiness Benedict XVI, who encouraged Fr. Dante to continue to work in a renewed commitment to evangelization of all the sons of God, to cultivate an intense pastoral charity, strong faith, and a strong loyalty, accompanied by prayer and the Eucharist.
In his homily Bishop Suárez said: "Dear Father Dante, your generous response to go on a mission to a distant place fills us with joy at your decision and at your missionary spirit, which certainly is not without its sacrifices and privations, but the Lord is with you. Aparecida teaches us: 'It is the closeness that makes us friends which allows us to deeply appreciate the values of the poor of today, their aspirations, and their way of living the faith'."
At the end of Mass, Fr. Leone thanked Fr. Dante on behalf of the PMS for his service and expressed his hope that his ministry as a missionary ad gentes in Angola will be truly fruitful and full of blessings from the Lord. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 05/11/2010)
