Once again this year, in Francavilla al Mare, there was no lack of opportunity to fittingly celebrate our Founder — as well as Patron and Titular of the Parish — St. Alphonsus.
The celebrations began on Tuesday, July 29, with the start of the Triduum in honor of the Saint. Each day began in the morning with the praying of Morning Lauds together with the people, and in the afternoon with the Holy Rosary accompanied by meditations of the Saint and the recitation of Vespers.
On Tuesday the 29th, the first day of the Triduum, Holy Mass was celebrated for all lawyers. In his homily, Father Massimiliano Guardini, Superior and Parish Priest, presented the figure of St. Alphonsus as a lawyer, and especially as a defender of justice and an enemy of abuses committed against the poor. At the end of the celebration, there was an interesting conference in the church entitled “The Twelve Rules of the Lawyer according to St. Alphonsus and Their Relevance Today.” After the introduction by Fr. Massimiliano and a brief greeting from lawyer Goffredo Tatozzi, President of the Chieti Bar Association, lawyer Ivan Di Carlo, Councilor of the Chieti Bar Association, spoke about the contemporary relevance of Alphonsian legal principles and how they have influenced the current Italian legal system and the ethics of the legal profession in Italy.
On Wednesday the 30th, the turn passed to Father Francesco Iaquino, a Redemptorist currently in Ciorani, who in his homily vividly and simply outlined Alphonsus’ mission as a preacher and missionary. The Holy Mass was celebrated in the square and saw a large participation of the faithful, as well as tourists and curious onlookers who, during the celebration, approached to listen to the preacher’s engaging homily.
On Thursday the 31st, the entire day was dedicated to the sick. In the morning, Fr. Gianluigi, together with the Ministers of Communion, visited the sick and elderly of the parish, bringing them the comfort of the Sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation. In the evening, Fr. Gianluigi presided over the Eucharistic Celebration on the third day of the novena. His reflection focused on the value of illness and the search for “spiritual illnesses” which, though often well hidden, are no less widespread than bodily ones. St. Alphonsus, he explained, always lived with the passion of being a “physician of souls,” healing the wounds of sin, and even in illness he knew how to live his condition with faith and dignity. During the Mass, the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick was administered to the sick and elderly present.
On Friday, August 1st, the liturgical feast of our Saint, the day began with the singing of Morning Lauds and a Holy Hour of Adoration, during which some passages from the Visits were meditated upon, followed by the traditional Chaplet to St. Alphonsus.
In the afternoon, the “City of Atessa” marching band filled the neighbourhood with music, inviting everyone to rejoice as the feast drew near.
The Solemn Mass saw a large turnout of parishioners and devotees who filled the parish church. Fr. Francesco presided over the celebration, and in his homily, he emphasized the figure of St. Alphonsus as a spiritual author who remains profoundly relevant. He did so starting from his three most famous works: Visits to the Blessed Sacrament, The Practice of the Love of Jesus Christ, and The Glories of Mary. From reading and meditating on these works, each person can build their own spiritual life, which must necessarily rest on three pillars: Eucharistic devotion, Marian devotion, and a sincere and deep love for Jesus Christ recognized as the one Savior. Also taking part in the celebration were Parish Priest Fr. Massimiliano, Parochial Vicar Fr. Gianluigi, Fr. Nicola Fiscante, Fr. Pietro Khai, Fr. Antonio Cirulli, and a Pauline priest.
Immediately after Holy Mass, the procession proceeded through the main streets of the parish. The Saint, carried on the shoulders of bearers, was greeted with great affection by many people who either followed the procession or came out into the street to venerate the statue. Many decorated their windows and balconies with candles, flowers, and ribbons in honor of St. Alphonsus. The Mayor of Francavilla al Mare, lawyer Luisa Russo, also took part in the procession.
At the conclusion of the procession, the faithful returned to the church, where the statue of St. Alphonsus was incensed, the prayer of entrustment to the Saint (written several years ago by our Archbishop of Chieti, Mons. Bruno Forte, a devoted admirer of the Saint) was recited, and the solemn blessing was given.
Once again, St. Alphonsus passed through the streets of our parish, meeting faces and hearts — the hearts of a people devoted to him. Thus, was repeated what our Saint was in life: a missionary of Christ the Redeemer among the people.
Fr. Gianluigi Colucci, CSsR.
