Benedict XVI Thanks God for St. John Founder



(Photos taken by the Community 0f St. John on the 30th anniversary of its founding February, 2006 in Rome, Italy)

Father Marie-Dominique Philippe Dies at 93

VATICAN CITY, AUG. 28, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI sent a message to the Family of St. John in which he thanked God for the life of their founder, Father Marie-Dominique Philippe, who died Saturday. He was 93.

In a telegram sent in his name by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican secretary of state, the Pope "prays that the Lord will receive him in his kingdom, who for years guided and formed numerous people in the school of Christ, in the spirit of the 'beloved disciple,' rooting them in a profound love for the Church and in fidelity to the Successor of Peter.

"The Bishop of Rome "gives thanks for the life of Father Marie-Dominique, totally given to the Lord and his brothers, rooted in meditation of the Word of God, in search of passionate contemplation of truth."Benedict XVI hopes that "his testimony will infuse in all those he has guided the necessary drive so that the Gospel of Christ will always be proclaimed, accepted and lived," and he ends by offering his apostolic blessing to the Family of St. John."According to a communiqué issued by the community, Father Philippe died at the priory of St. Jodard, France. He was going to be 94 on Sept. 8.

The Community of St. John is comprised of 930 men, half of whom are priests or deacons, and active and contemplative women religious, as well as more than 3,000 lay oblates of more than 34 nationalities. It is present in 21 countries.The Brothers of St. John are recognized as a religious congregation, under the bishop of the Autun Diocese, in France, where their motherhouse is located.

Source:


Message from Sr Nirmala, the Superior General of the Missionaries of Charity, on the occasion of Fr Philippe's death:
"It is wonderful to hear that Fr Marie-Dominique Philippe returned to God on Aug 26, which is the Feast of Our Lady of Czestochowa, the link with our beloved Holy Father John Paul II, and which is also the birthday of our Mother, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta. With these three in Heaven, we can expect great things for the Church!"

My Comments: Thanks be to God for Fr. Philippe! I am so happy that I was privilleged to meet him, to hear his homilies, and to receive Holy Communion from him before he left for his eternal home.

Thank you for joining me in prayer for Fr. Philippe. I pray that the canonization process for him will begin soon.

-

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