Fr Paul Fenech message during Don Pigi's Funeral at
St Eustorgio’s Basilica
Don PiGi consecrated the last third of his life to the renewal of parishes through the Parish Cell System of Evangelization. In thirty years he has succeeded in spreading this new way of being a missionary parish in many countries. It is not by chance that the Lord called him just a few days after the Second International Forum of the International Organism which he founded as the main instrument for reaching the whole Church.
114 priests and lay people, from 22 countries and from 4 continents, connected through Zoom. And these are a small representation of pastors and leaders that Don PiGi has motivated by his contagious passion for evangelization that never stops growing. In fact, once again, we had new people from new countries, such as Lebanon and Cyprus in the Middle East and Vietnam in Asia.
The theme of this meeting was very prophetic: "Do not let the fear of the new hold you!" It is a quote from the address of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, gave us when we met him precisely a year ago.
Today we are all faced by the novelty. Don PiGi passed to the new life where space and time are no longer his conditions of being. Of course, this novelty, which we too should face one day, and which frightens us today, is no longer frightening Don PiGi. Don PiGi, today is serene, enjoying for eternity the new life in all its fullness contemplating the Face of the Merciful Father, whom he contemplated in the Face of His Incarnate Son through the Holy Spirit, of Whom he was so docile and passionate.
For us, this moment presents us with something really new: to go forth without Don PiGi. I cannot hide my personal fear. It is enough to recall all the talk that was made during the Forum last week on the charism of Don PiGi, which we are called to continue, to feel seized by fear. Of course, with the help of the Holy Spirit, no fear will stop us. We shall defeat fear the more we deepen the gift, the charism, that God wanted to give to the Church through Don PiGi, a gift, a charism, that today God is entrusting to us. The advantage we have is that while Don PiGi never let fear stop him not even when he was alone; we will never be as alone to face our fear as it might seems. Don PiGi will surely accompany us with his intercession to the Holy Trinity and to Our Lady.
On behalf of all the Promoters, members of the Executive Committee, Referents of Nations, and of thousands of leaders and members of cells, dear FATHER PiGi: thank you, thank you, thank you very much. And to you, Lord Jesus: we have no words to thank You for having given him to us.
114 priests and lay people, from 22 countries and from 4 continents, connected through Zoom. And these are a small representation of pastors and leaders that Don PiGi has motivated by his contagious passion for evangelization that never stops growing. In fact, once again, we had new people from new countries, such as Lebanon and Cyprus in the Middle East and Vietnam in Asia.
The theme of this meeting was very prophetic: "Do not let the fear of the new hold you!" It is a quote from the address of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, gave us when we met him precisely a year ago.
Today we are all faced by the novelty. Don PiGi passed to the new life where space and time are no longer his conditions of being. Of course, this novelty, which we too should face one day, and which frightens us today, is no longer frightening Don PiGi. Don PiGi, today is serene, enjoying for eternity the new life in all its fullness contemplating the Face of the Merciful Father, whom he contemplated in the Face of His Incarnate Son through the Holy Spirit, of Whom he was so docile and passionate.
For us, this moment presents us with something really new: to go forth without Don PiGi. I cannot hide my personal fear. It is enough to recall all the talk that was made during the Forum last week on the charism of Don PiGi, which we are called to continue, to feel seized by fear. Of course, with the help of the Holy Spirit, no fear will stop us. We shall defeat fear the more we deepen the gift, the charism, that God wanted to give to the Church through Don PiGi, a gift, a charism, that today God is entrusting to us. The advantage we have is that while Don PiGi never let fear stop him not even when he was alone; we will never be as alone to face our fear as it might seems. Don PiGi will surely accompany us with his intercession to the Holy Trinity and to Our Lady.
On behalf of all the Promoters, members of the Executive Committee, Referents of Nations, and of thousands of leaders and members of cells, dear FATHER PiGi: thank you, thank you, thank you very much. And to you, Lord Jesus: we have no words to thank You for having given him to us.