We Ask God for Worthy Laborers of the Gospel. This morning, before his weekly general audience, Benedict XVI inaugurated a large statue of Saint Annibale Maria di Francia, founder of the Congregation …More
We Ask God for Worthy Laborers of the Gospel.
This morning, before his weekly general audience, Benedict XVI inaugurated a large statue of Saint Annibale Maria di Francia, founder of the Congregation of the Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus and of the Daughters of Divine Generosity. The statue is located in an external niche outside St. Peter's Basilica, near the Arch of the Bells. Before blessing the 5 feet high statue, carved out of a block of Carrara marble by sculptor Giuseppe Ducrot, the Pope prayed that the Lord will send to his harvest "worthy workers of the Gospel". He said those who contemplate the image of the saint, who died in 1927 and was canonized in 2004, are inspired in the "same spirit of charity to grow in love for God and neighbor." Saint Annibale di Francia is portrayed holding the Gospel in his hand, opened on the page that asks Christ to "pray to the Lord to send laborers to his harvest." Prayer for vocations is one of the charisms of the Congregation of Rogationists, who are also engaged in charitable works for the poor and children.
This morning, before his weekly general audience, Benedict XVI inaugurated a large statue of Saint Annibale Maria di Francia, founder of the Congregation of the Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus and of the Daughters of Divine Generosity. The statue is located in an external niche outside St. Peter's Basilica, near the Arch of the Bells. Before blessing the 5 feet high statue, carved out of a block of Carrara marble by sculptor Giuseppe Ducrot, the Pope prayed that the Lord will send to his harvest "worthy workers of the Gospel". He said those who contemplate the image of the saint, who died in 1927 and was canonized in 2004, are inspired in the "same spirit of charity to grow in love for God and neighbor." Saint Annibale di Francia is portrayed holding the Gospel in his hand, opened on the page that asks Christ to "pray to the Lord to send laborers to his harvest." Prayer for vocations is one of the charisms of the Congregation of Rogationists, who are also engaged in charitable works for the poor and children.