New Sodalit priests, “a joy for all of the Church”
Rio de Janeiro, 12/03/14 (Sodalit News – Brazil). On Sunday November 16th, deacons Felipe Peligrinelli and Eliezer Gomes were ordained priests in the Sodalitium of Christian Life in a memorable Mass presided by the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Card. Orani João Tempesta in the Parish ‘Nossa Senhora da Guia’ (‘Our Lady of Guidance’).
This ceremony was attended by many members of the Sodalitium of Christian Life in Brazil along with others from different countries who traveled to accompany Eliezer and Felipe. Also present were members of the Marian Community of Reconciliation, the Servants of the Plan of God, the Christian Life Movement and other associations of the Sodalit Family who shared in the joy of the newly ordained.
In his homily, Cardinal Orani João Tempesta stressed that these ordinations are “a joy not only for Sodalit community, and not only for their families, but for the whole Church.”
Addressing the new priests he explained that “they, responding to the gifts and talents that God bestowed them, will now serve their brothers and the Church, trying to carry out the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, even amid difficulties and the challenges of our time.” He also invited members of the Sodalit community and all those present to pray, asking God “to enlighten and strengthen them, so that they can unfold their talents and fulfill the mission which they are entrusted, for the sake of the Sodalitium, and for the good of the People of God.”
After the Eucharist the new priests had the opportunity to share their testimonies, where both expressed the joy of this moment and thanked God for their vocation to the priesthood. Fr. Eliezer Gomes noted that “receiving this gift from the Lord, being ordained, has generated in me a deep joy and gratitude, knowing that from now on, I am called to cooperate with the evangelization nearest to Christ’s path, on the altar of reconciliation.” He also thanked “all my family, all the people who in one way or another were part of my journey of conversion. And my dear Sodalit community has a unique place, as it is where I discovered and found the Lord’s call and where I learned to live fraternity and give my life towards the mission.”
For his part, Fr. Felipe Peligrinelli stressed that “the priesthood in the Sodalitium is for me a vocation to service, to the gift of self for my brothers of community and to a generous apostolate to make the Lord Jesus effectively present to all who like me, hunger and thirst for truth. And for all that, for such a beautiful horizon, I give heartfelt thanks to the Lord.”
After the Mass all participants were able to greet and congratulate the newly ordained and sharing the joy and gratitude for that day.
