Thursday, October 29, 2015

Testimony by Br. Dominic, ex-provincial of France

In the Church of France, in 20th century, a radical thinking, impact on the rural society, industrial times people from rural area came to city and some of them gave up their religion....today France is a mission area....The archbishop of Parish read book and wept, written by two priests saying that France is today a Missionary area.

 Br Mark Schenk....
 Friar John Battista...
 Br.. Christophorus....




Priests were working in the factories....Capuchins set up a fraternity in 1948....Pope Pius XII in 1942 said that Capuchin worked for the good of the populations....the capuchin must exercise their apostolate to the people not only in their churches but also among the working people who become their brothers and sisters. The sweat of the working of the people should become their sweat of their brow.....The friars and priests were working in the factories along with the people....a great apostolate....

It was paid work so not compatible with the priesthood....Vatican II described various ministries....1965 we see once again a team of priests going to factories to work....many capuchins thought that we need to give up our big friaries and be among the people...share their conditions....desire to live in smaller fraternities which automatically bring them closer to people....there was desire to live poverty among the work places of the people....manual workers which was a big number....church had lost contact with them .....so the church desired to get close to them...

Earning through paid work..the capuchins set up shops among the emigrants....joined various associations to make our presence felt....aim to seek out workers in their place of working...

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