On the 16th and 17th September, the Feast of the Stigmata was celebrated in La Verna, an event that brings together hundreds of faithful and pilgrims every year in the place where 801 years ago St. Francis received the "embrace of the stigmata" from the Lord.
The celebration began on the evening of the 16th in the Sanctuary of La Verna with the recitation of First Vespers, presided over by the Vicar General Fr. Ignacio Ceja.
That same evening in the parish of Chiusi della Verna a prayer was held with the young people who, immediately afterwards, made a night pilgrimage that took them to the Mount to participate in the Eucharistic celebration of the so-called Vigil of the Stigmata.
Br. Massimo Fusarelli, Minister General, in the Eucharist addressed the many young people present, looking them in the eye, quoting the words of the Gospel he had just heard: Whosoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Lk 9:23-24). "But here, 800 years ago, Francis discovered what is inside those words. Not a threat, but an invitation to love as we could never imagine on our own," said the Minister, recalling how Francis was embraced by the Lord through the stigmata. Referring to the 50th anniversary of the profession of Br. Cesare Vaiani, Definitor General present there, he said: "Br. Cesare, in a short time, after 50 years, will still say here before the altar of the Lord, 'Thank you because you have called me', he will tell us that it is possible to live this encounter and not just do it once and to go away. Here is a living person who knows me by name, this is Jesus."
Then he continued by saying that "Jesus Christ is a living person who comes to meet me and whom I can meet, he is a brother and a friend, a person who has not avoided suffering, but has given it meaning". The phrase "Take up his cross and follow me" does not mean seeking pain, but sharing it with Jesus because He has already transformed it, because in his wounds there are ours, there are those of all the suffering of the world.
During the Mass on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of his profession, Br. Cesare Vaiani made an emotional renewal of vows in front of the Minister General, who congratulated him on his perseverance and his example of Franciscan life.
After the Eucharist, the Shrine remained open all night, for a vigil made up of moments of personal and shared prayer, for confessions: listening to stories, words, and new perspectives to live together the beauty of the Cross.
In the celebration on the 17th September, the Solemnity of the Impressions of the Stigmata of St. Francis, Br. Massimo Fusarelli focused his homily on Hope, drawing inspiration from the Jubilee year still in progress. But what Hope, what hopes? Where is the Lord? "Francis also comes up here with his hopes. His disappointments. Even, in a moment of trial and crisis. When he climbs this mountain, Francis asks the Lord: "Who are you, Most High and Good Lord? And who am I, little and poor Francis?", recalled Fr. Massimo, emphasizing how the Poor man-Poverello understood precisely in La Verna that he had to completely strip himself of himself and entrust himself totally to the Lord, "to make room for the One who is our hope", who "gives us his Spirit, makes our hearts burn with the Scriptures, comforts us with the food of the Eucharist."
This year's Feast falls on the Centenary of the Canticle of the Creatures: it is no coincidence that after the gift of the Stigmata, Francis comes down from La Verna and composes his praise to the Supreme Creator: he recognizes that everything is God's, because everything comes from Him and returns to Him, Fr Massimo Fusarelli stressed, wishing everyone to recognize the work of the Lord and not be "predators and murderers".
At the end of Mass, the Minister General congratulated Br. Cesare Vaiani on his 50 years of profession and six Polish friars who are celebrating their 25th anniversary of profession.
As happens every day in the sanctuary, at 3.00 p.m. None-the Ninth Hour was recited and then the procession went to the Chapel of the Stigmata.
Download the homily of 16 September
Download the homily of 17 September
Download the Stigmata Prayer
See all photos on Flickr
Video della Veglia delle Stimmate - Guarda su Youtube
Video della Festa delle Stimmate - Guarda su Youtube
