Thursday, June 28, 2012

Servant of the Word



Friar Alfonso recounts receiving the ministry of lector


I received the ministry of lector Sunday May 13 during the 10:30 a.m. mass in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Concretely this means that the Church, through the hands of father Giuseppe Piemontese, custos of the Sacro Convento who presided in the liturgy, officially and publically gifted me with the responsibility of proclaiming the Word of God during the liturgy, especially during the Eucharistic celebration, and the missionary mandate of carrying the Gospel of salvation to those who have not yet heard.


For me this ministry is gift that has its source in the love of God the Father. It is a sign of the trust and of the esteem that He has for me, and that requires of me a daily decision to meditate on, pray, and put into practice the Holy Scriptures, such that I can announce and testify to the Christian faith above all through my life, day after day.

This moment of grace and personal commitment is the fruit of a journey that has lasted several years, beginning with my service as a catechist for children preparing for first communion in Silvi Marina (PE) and Brescia, then later in Assisi with young people preparing for confirmation. Most recently in Cannara, Perugia, I have served as the spiritual assistant to OFS, the Third Order Seculars founded by st. Francis. In addition to these pastoral experiences, I have been formed by serving during liturgical celebrations in the Basilica of St. Francis, through my own journey of Franciscan formation, and through the diocesan mission in Assisi and the mission in Pavia, during which I met many who were fragile in the faith or who were not believers. Last but not least, my interaction with Jehovah’s Witnesses, present in my own family, has influenced me.

In conclusion, I can say that the ministry of lector has caused me to grow in enthusiasm to serve and do good for the Kingdom of God. And it has also instilled in me a tiny sliver of pride, because the Church has placed in my hands one of the greatest treasures that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, has given to the world: his Word! I entrust my service to the intercession of Mary, especially to Our Lady of Fatima, whose memorial was celebrated the same day that I received the ministry, as well as to the prayers of everyone who reads this blog.

May the Lord grant you peace and all good!

With much love,
fra Alfonso Di Francesco


No comments:

Post a Comment