In the beating heart of the Catanzaro faith, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception welcomed, on the evening of July 15, the solemn presbyteral order of Don Pierpaolo Antonio Madia, for the imposition of the hands and the consecrating prayer of the Archbishop Monsignor Claudio Maniago. A moment of profound grace, lived on the eve of the feast of San Vitaliano, patron of the diocese of Catanzaro-Squillace, and included in the journey of the Jubilee of the hope wanted by Pope Francis.
Numerous faithful who came, in particular by the community of Gagliano and the parish of Sant’Anna, ecclesial realities that have accompanied the vocational journey of Don Pierpaolo. A climate of intense prayer has marked the entire celebration, made even more touching by the homily of the archbishop, who offered the new priest a profound meditation on the presbyteral ministry.
Monsignor Maniago spoke with warm and paternal words, underlining how the priest is a living sign of the closeness of God, the one through whom Christ, a good shepherd, continues to operate in the world. Ricing himself to the figure of San Vitaliano, the bishop urged Don Pierpaolo to be “salt of the earth and the light of the world”, a shepherd who does not take refuge in the securities, but reference is made for those who are lost, walking in the night with the heart full of hope.
In the jubilee context, the bishop traced an ideal profile of the presbyter: not bureaucrats, nor official of the institution, but pilgrim of hope, who lives his vocation by walking with the people, bringing the light of the Gospel in everyday life and sharing the effort and joy of everyone’s life.
“You will walk barefoot – said Maniago – because the priest respects a land that, on the example of the master, insists on believing and considering holy”. The presbyter, he added, must welcome fragility, offer consolation, be next to the poor and the last, aware of being himself “a healed paralytic”.
Recalling the words of the Second Vatican Council, the Archbishop recalled that the hopes and anxieties of the world must find echo in the heart of the priest, called to make the hope that arises from Easter in the Eucharistic celebration: Christ who gives himself, which turns on the hearts and never disappoints.
To Don Pierpaolo, the bishop ensured the embrace of the entire diocesan church and the fraternity of the presbytery, encouraging him to live authentic relationships with the confreres, free from jealousies and narcissisms, capable of generating true communion.
“From tonight – he concluded – your path begins as a presbyter between joys and tiredness, but always in hope and sowing hope”. And he invited all the faithful to support Don Pierpaolo with the prayer, so that he can witness the hope that arises from the faith, and to pray for communities to become fertile ground for new vocations.
In conclusion, the assignment to the Madonna, “mother of hope”, with the words of St. John Paul II: “Tiredness does not weigh us down nor the effort slows us … The difficulties do not turn off the courage, nor the sadness the joy of the heart”.
A new page opens for Don Pierpaolo, marked by the light of the vocation, the strength of the faith and the beauty of the service.