PASTORAL SERVICE IN THE PROVINCE OF FOGGIA We, Frs. J.B. Sequeira & Denis Prakash Lobo are rendering Pastoral
Service in the Capuchin Friary & in the parish of St. Elias the Prophet at
Sant Elia A Pianisi in Southern Italy since Christmas 2013. On 22nd Dec. ’13
at 15-37 (20-07 IST) we landed at Rome Airport & at 16-00 came out of the
Airport. From the airport we were taken to the Provincialate of Foggia by
car; a 3 ½ hr journey. Br. Umberto took us in & Fr. Francesco Colacelli the
Provincial of Foggia gave us a warm welcome.
The next day we were taken to the Govt. Offices for initiating the process
for our Resident permits & on 24th morning we were brought to this Friary in
Sant Elia A Pianisi. We reached the friary at noon. This friary is 80 Kms
from Foggia Provincialate. The Superior Fr. Aldo & Br. Simon welcomed us
cordially.
Apostolate: That evening itself being the Christmas vigil we sat for confessions.
And during the Christmas midnight Mass Fr. Aldo the Superior & PP introduced
us, welcomed us & wished us a pleasant stay here.
On 25th Jan’14 when a St. Francis Xavier’s statue was reinstalled in the
Parish Church we were given an official welcome by Fr. Aldo the Superior &
PP during mass saying “in the past our missionaries went to India but now
they have come here.” We on our part thanked them for their goodwill.
Everyday there are 2 masses – 1 in the Friary & the other in the Parish
Church. On Sundays there are 4 masses – 2 in the Friary, 1 in the Parish
Church & another in the Chapel of St. Rock.
Besides celebrating masses & hearing confessions we conduct OFS meetings by
turn. The OFS meetings are every week & not once in a month. Every month has
a definite theme & we give talks to them on these themes. Every week has
different reflections & explanations on the theme.
1st week: The reflection & explanation is on Franciscan viewpoint. 2nd week: The reflection & explanation is on the Word of God
(Biblical reflection) 3rd week: The reflection & explanation is on Catechetical teaching. 4th week: The reflection & explanation is according to the teachings
of the Church. On First Fridays we take Holy Communion to the sick & old. There are
about 50 such old people. Every week on Thursdays we celebrate mass in Old Age Home.
Culture: On Sunday after Christmas & on Epiphany day the villagers performed the
traditional ‘live crib.’ Dressed as Jews they demonstrated Jewish customs &
celebrations, depicted the life situations of the Hebrews, cribs with living
persons i.e. child Jesus, Mother Mary, St Joseph & shepherds & shared
different types of bread & other eatables & drinks they had prepared @ a
designated place in the village i.e. 150 meters from the Church.
On 6th Jan after the Solemn Mass of the Epiphany, the people usually go in
procession with 3 Kings seated on horse backs from the Church to that place
where they demonstrate the Hebrew culture. But this year the 3 kings went
walking with the people in procession.
Location:
Sant Elia A Pianisi is an ancient village about 600 mts above sea level in
Molise Region or State in south Italy. Molise is the smallest Region (State)
of Italy. This Molise Region is full of hills & valleys; a lovely place!
Campobasso is the Capital of this Region. Sant Elia is 40 Kms from
Campobasso & 300 Kms South of Rome.
The Parish Church which is around 400 meters away from the friary is looked
after by us Capuchins. Another chapel San Rocco is also about 300 meters
from the friary.
Padre Pio lived in this friary for 4 yrs & made his Solemn Profession in
this friary church in 1907. Another venerable Capuchin Fr. Rafael whose
canonization process has been taken up is from this place of Sant Elia who
died in 1901 & is buried in this friary chapel.
People: The people of this parish are poor, devout & respectful. They are
friendly in nature. Some years ago there were 5000 people in this village,
but now only 2000 inhabitants. Most of the houses are vacant. Some buildings
belonging to the Parish Church & other buildings in this village were
damaged during the earthquake of 2003 & are still under repair.
There had been many men & women vocations from this place. Capuchins alone
are more than 30.
The Holy Trinity Province thanks Fr. J.B. Sequeira & Fr. Denis Prakash Lobo
for coming forward to render their services in the Province of Foggia.
Their Contact address is: CONVENTO PADRI CAPPUCCINI, 86048 S. Elia A
Pianisi (CB), C.C. P. 12129862, ITALIA. Tel: 00-39-0874-81204,
Mobile Nos: Fr. J.B. Sequeira: 00-39-3296083373.
Fr. Denis Prakash Lobo: 00-39-3885767695.
