Saturday 19th of February marks the 38th anniversary of the opening of the Adorno Fathers missions in the African land. It was on that day in the year 1984 that Cardinal Duraisamy Simon Lourdusamy handing the Bible and the Crucifix to Father Tommaso Barbona, CRM and Father  Paolo Di Nardo, CRM said to them: “Go, bring to the people the Word of God and his love which is manifested in the Cross of Christ”.

With a mission area of 2400 square kilometers and population of about 80,000 at that time, the first Adornos came to Nyamilima to establish the missions to teach the faith, educate the people on laws and rights, and humanitarian works.

The mission which started in the village grew into a fertile ministry which includes a parish, a hospital and elementary schools that are growing in numbers every year.

Out of this mission, the Adorno Fathers were blessed with so many local vocations to the religious life. The Adorno Fathers African mission was declared a delegation in the General Dieta of 2015.

Thirty-eight years later one of our confreres, Father Richard Masivi Kasereka, CRM, a young priest, was killed while returning from the day of consecrated life, celebrated in the diocese of Butembo-Beni. Fr. Masivi was appointed parish priest of Kaseghe in October 2021. His death is a testimony of fidelity to Christ and to his Passion and Death. May the blood of this young martyr priest produce fruits of conversion to overcome the evil that stirs in the heart of man.

“The death of Father Richard – Pope Francis said at the general audience on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 – should not discourage his family members, his religious family and the entire Christian community of that nation from being heralds and witnesses of goodness and of fraternity”.

We thank the many faithful and benefactors who wished to express their participation and their condolences to our missionary fathers and to the whole Order of Clerics Regular Minor (Adorno Fathers).

Featured Photo: Father Richard next to his sister, Sister Solange

Source in Italian: PadriCaracciolini – AdornoFathers (CRM)