To Fr. Giovanni Ferrari,
and to Alessandro Milanesi.
Dearest friends,
It is a great joy for me to be able to take part in your priestly and diaconal ordinations, although I am sorry not to be there in person.
“There is no greater joy than seeing the joy of a dear friend,” Fr. Giussani wrote to Fr. Angelo Majo, adding: “Are we not in the world for His sake and for the happiness of others? How wonderful it is that Jesus has brought us together for this mission!” (Lettere di fede e di amicizia ad Angelo Majo [Letters of Faith and Friendship to Angelo Majo], San Paolo 2007, pp. 39–40).
I therefore urge you to safeguard above all the memory of the gift you have received
Friends, the destiny of the world – a destiny of beauty and goodness – has come to meet us; it has become a human companionship, a personal friend to each of us. He has chosen us from the world to send us out into the world to proclaim Him, so that everyone may recognize Christ as Lord. This is our mission, wherever we are called to live. I therefore urge you to safeguard above all the memory of the gift you have received, which is the place He Himself has chosen as His dwelling place: “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Mt 18:20). Belonging to this dwelling place is, in fact, the condition for our fulfillment.
Thank you for responding to the Lord’s call: the Movement and the Church need you! I also extend my heartfelt thanks and greetings to your families, the Fraternity of St. Charles, and all those who have accompanied you on your journey thus far. We entrust you to Mary in our prayers. May she, Mother of Christ and of the Church, watch over you and always accompany you on your journey, and the journey of all those whom you will be called to accompany.
With affection,a vostra risposta alla chiamata del Signore: il movimento e la Chiesa hanno bisogno di voi! Ringrazio di cuore e saluto anche le vostre famiglie, la Fraternità San Carlo e tutti coloro che vi hanno accompagnato finora nel vostro cammino. Vi affidiamo con la nostra preghiera a Maria: Lei, che è Madre di Cristo e della Chiesa, vegli su di voi e accompagni sempre il cammino vostro e di tutti coloro che sarete chiamati ad accompagnare.
Con affetto,
Davide Prosperi
