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Since
the early 1900’s, our community in Argentina has served the needs of
the faithful, witnessing their great love of the Sacred Hearts. It
was first mission established outside of Italy and through the
dedication of its members has sustained the charism of our
congregation in South America.
Shortly after the conclusion of the General Chapter
in 2004, the new General Council adopted a plan to attempt to expand
the South American mission into other countries there. The task was
entrusted to the members of the Argentina community and Fr. Angelo
Terracciano, Vicar General would join them in this pursuit. They
hoped to make contact with interested vocation prospects.
The first tentative contacts were made last summer by
Fr. Hector Zordan who is the Delegate of the Superior General in
South America. His efforts produced invitations from the Bishops
in Medellin, Colombia and Quito, Ecuador to meet to discuss the
possibilities. During November and December Fr. Terracciano and Fr.
Zordan spent time in both Dioceses where they met with young men who
were interested in pursuing vocations to religious life.
During November and December |
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Fr. Terracciano
and Fr. Zordan spent time in both Dioceses where they met with young
men who were interested in pursuing vocations to religious life.
They found
that in Colombia, vocations to the priesthood and religious life are
blooming. A deeply religious population with a great devotion to
the Blessed Virgin, the country has been blessed with over 500
seminarians. It was here that Fr. Terracciano and Fr. Zordan found
several vocations who wished to apply for candidacy in our
congregation.
With the blessing of the Archbishop of Medillin, they began
active recruiting. The current plan is to bring the candidates to
Buenos Aires, Argentina for their formation. With God’s grace,
after they are ordained, they would return to Colombia to establish
a community in that country. At the beginning of March, the first
candidate joined the community in Argentina.
Several candidates in Colombia are remaining in contact with
our priests and a return visit to Colombia is planned for this
summer by Fr. Terracciano and Fr. Zordan. |
