Keep opening your heart to be transformed by Christ

Christopher Lanciotti issuing his commitments of Full Apostolic Availability

With deep gratitude to God, our brother Christopher Lanciotti issued his Commitments of Full Apostolic Availability to Perpetuity on December 12, Third Sunday of Advent and Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, at a Holy Mass presided over by Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, Archbishop of Denver, at Holy Name Parish in Denver, Colorado.

This Eucharistic celebration was attended by our Sodalite brothers in Colorado, Chris’ family, members of the Holy Name parish community, Creatio volunteers, and various members of the spiritual family.

Permanent deacon Roberto Lanciotti, Chris’ father, proclaims the Gospel

During Holy Mass, permanent deacon Roberto “Rob” Lanciotti, Chris’ father, did the reading of the Gospel and the calls to the candidate. During his homily, Bishop Aquila showed his appreciation for the Sodalitium and his great esteem for Chris, the first perpetual “born and raised” in Colorado, United States.

Bishop Aquila in his homily addressed the members of the Sodalitium and Chris. «My dear brothers. Jesus did not want what happened in his community to happen. But he saw the graces that were there and the possibility that was there. He has saved them. Your task now is to announce that: that Jesus Christ is faithful. My dear son, I know that you have experienced that in your own heart as you make this commitment to your community, to the Church, and above all to Jesus Christ and Mary. By giving him your life as Christ gave his life.

He invited Chris to always remember “the joy that you are giving to the Lord (with your full availability). As you grow in your faith and in your commitments as a member of the Sodalitium, keep opening your heart to be transformed by Christ. So that you receive the Good News and remember that He is always there to rescue you.”

Bishop Samuel J. Aquila, STL. Archbishop of Denver, during his homily

At the end of Holy Mass, our brother Chris shared some reflections on his commitments of Full Apostolic Availability with those present. He spoke about his friendship with Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus. He commented that, “this saint did not initially appeal to me because of a kind of opposition with her nickname ‘Little flower’. I’m not small to begin with and I don’t really like flowers. However, I think we are becoming friends fast.”

He also wanted to refer to Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose Feast is celebrated on December 12. “In the words of Our Mother to Saint Juan Diego, I have discovered my personal calling and mission as a messenger in the Church. I discover myself in his arms, covered by his cloak and surrounded by stars, and on the moon. In response to your question (‘Do you need anything else?’): I don’t need anything else.”

Chris concluded his gratitude to those present with a prayer from Saint Ignatius that has accompanied him throughout this year and that he has recited each time he entered the chapel

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.
You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.
Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.
St. Ignatius of Loyola

Members of the Sodalitium in Denver, Colorado with Chris Lanciotti and Bishop Samuel J. Aquila