SPIRITUALITY ENHANCED
BY RETREAT IN ASSISI

A group of diocesan priests experienced a “spiritual boost” as they made a directed retreat in Assisi, led by a Conventual Franciscan who provided an extra dimension by his knowledge of the home of St. Francis and insights into the saint’s life.

Father Russell Governale, former pastor of Most Holy Trinity, Williamsburg, guided the 14 priests on the retreat, sponsored by the diocesan Office of Ministry and Life of Priests and coordinated by Msgr. Otto L. Garcia, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.                                                                         

For Father William M.  Hoppe, pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle, Woodhaven, “it was a new way of seeing Assisi,” though he had been there many times. “Father Governale gave us a unique experience of the city and of the spirituality of St. Francis. It was a spiritual boost.”

The week of prayer was Msgr. Paul R. Sanchez’s first visit to Assisi since the retreat he made before his priestly ordination in Rome 34 years ago.  The pastor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Astoria, called it a “great spiritual experience because Assisi is a spectacularly spiritual place.” He said it was “wonderful to share it with brother priests.”

 He said he was moved by the “Carceri,” a retreat high in the mountains above the city where Francis and his brothers frequently stayed to meditate and pray, sleeping in a cave. He said he marveled at “the deprivation Francis and his Brothers put themselves through.”

Msgr. John O’Brien, the pastor of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, Richmond Hill, concurred, noting that Francis’ bed was “a rock in a cave.”

He also found memorable the reminiscences of a Franciscan priest at the Casa Papa Giovanni, where the priests stayed, who helped save Jews sought by the Nazis in World War II. A plaque mounted in Assisi marks the humanitarian effort.

Msgr. Sanchez hailed the extensive arrangements made by Msgr. Garcia. “He did everything,” he said. “All we had to do was get on the plane.”

Also making the retreat were Father Alfred P. LoPinto, Father James K. Cunningham, Father James J. Meszaros, Father Fulgencio Gutierrez, Father Charles H. White, Father Jeffry T. Dillon, Msgr. Richard F. Dunn, Msgr. John F. Hartmann and Father Jose F. Herrera. A priest from the Archdiocese of Miami, Msgr. Thomas M. Marin, joined them.

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6/13/06