Father Stefano Camerlengo, Superior General of the Consolata Missionaries, accompanied by Father James Lengarin, Vice Superior General, visited the IMC groups of the North American delegation in April. Father Paolo Fedrigoni, superior of the North American delegation, joined the group and together they visited the communities in Mexico, the United States and Canada.
The Visit started in Mexico in the days leading to Palm Sunday.
During their stay, together with the missionaries of the various communities they met, they reflected on their pastoral presence in each country, future missionary projects, reorganization of activities, etc.
They met the local bishops. The first who received the Visitors was His Eminence, Cardinal Jose’ Francisco Robles Ortega, Archbishop of Guadalajara.
Then, before concelebrating the Chrism Mass, they were guests for breakfast of Msgr. Fabio Martinez Castilla, Archbishop of Tuxtla Gutierrez.
They also spent some time with the many people who share our charism and our mission.
They celebrated Easter Sunday in Riverside, California, at the St Francis de Sales parish. The Easter Vigil fire at St. Francis de Sales, lit by Fr. Lou and Fr. Moonjung, opened the Canonical Visitation to our communities in the United States.
On the following Tuesday, the Visitor were received by Msgr. Alberto Rojas, Bishop of San Bernardino.
Then they encountered the Parish Council and the Confirmation children of the St Bernardine of Siena parish in San Bernardino.
In New Jersey, they met the missionaries, the employees and a good number of friends at a Eucharist at the St Augustine of Canterbury church in Kendall Park, followed by a fraternal meal.
On Saturday, with Fr. Timothy, they take a day off and go to New York. They cross the Hudson River on a ferryboat, visit Wall Street, the Twin Tower memorial, the African Memorial Site and St. Patrick Cathedral.
On the second Sunday of Easter, they are welcomed by the community in Toronto. They take part in all the Masses at the parish (St. Andrew’s) and in the evening they have dinner with representatives of the Parish and the Consolata Friends. All enjoy a great family atmosphere.
On the following Tuesday, they have been received by His Eminence, Cardinal Thomas Collins, Archbishop of Toronto.
At Toronto Missionary Animation Office with Consolata employees and friends.
Montreal is the last destination of the Visit. After meeting everybody, the Superior General leads the Eucharist with the community.
The following day, they have dinner with the personnel and then are received by the Archbishop, Msgr. Christiane Lépine.
The Canonical Visitation is rounded up by an online meeting with all the missionaries in North America where the Superior General gives his recommendationa.
