Bits of the Gospel

Hand drawing-St. J B Cottolengo by Kirimo "Kwani wote wanaoongozwa na Roho wa Mungu ni wana wa Mungu, kwa maana hamkupata roho ya utumwa mwogope tena, bali mmepokea Roho anayewafanya kuwa wana wa Mungu na kuita, "Abba! Baba!" Roho mwenyewe hushuhudia roho zetu ya kuwa sisi  ni wana, tu warithi pia, yaani warithi wa Mungu wanaorithi pamoja na Kristo, tukiwa tunavumilia mateso pamoja na Kristu, tupate kutukuzwa pamoja naye." (Rom. 8:14-17) Ni dhahiri kabisa kwamba Mt. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo sio tu mwana wa Mungu bali mwana Mpendwa na Mpenda Mungu. Upendo huu wa pekee kwa Mungu ulitokana na imani yake dhabiti. Kama Kijana alielimika katika mafundisho makuu ya imani. Alijua kuwa Mungu ametupa wote upendeleo wa pekee sana, ambapo kila mmoja wetu alipewa nafasi ya pekee machoni pa Mungu. Kwanza kabisa, imani hii ilimjengea msimamo na tabia ya aina yake. Katika utendaji kazi wake kama padre, alijitahidi kuwa na upendo wa pekee kwa kila mmoja, akiwapa nafasi ya...

I know of a man, a saint I have known, and encountered in the streets. I know of a man, I have met him again and again, bending over the down-trodden, just next to your house. I know of a man, with "a Big Heart", magnanimous! You too might have seen him cross the road just ahead of you, eager to reach out to the next man, and so touch his heart. This man of "a Big Heart" touches hearts and fascinates. He fascinates me and thousands others, who now have also grown big hearts, and have learnt the art of touching hearts! Thank you St Joseph Benedict Cottolengo!

January 16, 2011, Padre Aldo Sarotto led the Cottolengo Family in Africa at an historic consecration of the Altar and the Blessing of the Church of St. Stephen the Martyr, Kisarawe. His Eminence Polycarp Cardinal Pengo led the august event, franked by his Auxiliary Bishop Eusebius Nzigilwa. The laying of the relics of St. Joseph Benedict Cottolengo on the altar marked "a new beginning of his presence" in Tanzania. With enthusiasm and a very unique zeal, the Cottolengo family is growing, with many aspirants knocking at our doors. Deo Gratias! Meanwhile, the Divine Providence is sending whatever we need to pave the way for these young people. We are all looking at the future with hope. "Divine Providence never fails!"

St. J B Cottolengo was ordained a priest on June 8, 1811, exactly 200 years ago. This event has not passed us silently at Kisarawe. We've had preparations done way before. Fr. Philip led the reflections for the Sisters' community at Kisarawe. Meanwhile, on June 7, evening news from the Diocesan Radio Tumaini, there was a piece of news on this occasion. With that information disbursed, many people called and asked to join us in prayer the following day. On the anniversary day, June 8, Fr. Philip presided the mass, which took place at four in the evening. Many Christians participated with the biggest number being the youth and children. During the Homily, Fr Philip gave a general picture of our Founder. He underlined his unique charism, and a style of life that calls all people, both lay and religious, healthy and sick, to participate joyfully in the world of service to the poorest. After Mass, we had a moment of refreshment while young people from Minaki Secondary School...

Trust is that precious attitude towards yourself, other people and God. Nothing is more ruinous and precarious in life than to mistrust the spontaneity of a person. It so much dangerous to life that a little mistrust puts other off and makes them feel suspected and judged even before they are given a chance to be heard. I have met people who simply "psychologize" and analyze people as a tool to relationship. This destroys trust badly. It is like exposing everything personal and invaluably secret about the private life of another. It is making what would be decent in secret to be public defamation. People love the sincerity that emerges from the attitude of trust. Trust, in fact, is the capacity to encounter and accept others just as they are. And before being a virtue, it is a target in life which has to be achieved through hard work, determination, and prayerful engagement with the Almighty God. Yes, no one is more loved that a person who accepts others simply, naturally...

St. J B Cottolengo has been gathering his family together once more through the annual Solemnity--normally on April 30--this year set for May 2. We of the fraternity in Tanzania had a get together on April 27. Fr. Philip, Sr. Carla, Sr. Oliva, Sr. Margaret, Sr. Agnes, Sr. Ann, Sr. Lucy, Fr. Ngatia, Sr. Pauline and Fr. Kirimo. With us is Vincent Patrick, a young cottolengo admirer. All at Peace! With such unity we can testify that we are truly followers of Christ. D