Cardinal Tagle Brings the Entire Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples on Retreat to the Holy Face

 

by Antonio Bini   

photos taken from Facebook page of the Basilica of the Holy Face of Manoppello

https://www.facebook.com/basilicavoltosanto

About 150 people, that is, all the religious and lay personnel of the Dicastery for Evangelization, coming from various countries of the world, participated in the Lenten Retreat at the Shrine of the Holy Face on March 18, presided over by the prefect of the Dicastery, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, assisted by Archbishop Msgr. Fortunatus Nwachukwu from Nigeria, former Apostolic Nuncio and Secretary of the Section for the First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches, and by Archbishop Samuele Sangalli, Assistant Secretary of the same Dicastery. Fr. Antonio Gentili, Rector of the Shrine, welcomed the Cardinal and those accompanying him, aware of the symbolic importance of the event.

During the retreat, a meditation on the Face of Jesus was lead by Fr. Luciano Morra, S.J., former superior of a community in Taiwan. For Msgr. Samuele Sangalli, named archbishop by Pope Francis on February 5, the retreat immediately preceded the solemn liturgy of his episcopal ordination, which took place in St. Peter's the following day, in the presence of over 30 cardinals and bishops, with the principal consecrator being Card. Louis Antonio Tagle, who was appointed bishop by St. John Paul II in 2001 and created cardinal by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011. We also recall that the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples was the first Cardinal in the history of the Shrine to join - on May 20, 2017 - the traditional procession on foot from the Basilica to the town, together with many Italian and foreign pilgrims. Very devoted to the sacred image, he has distinguished himself in the dissemination of the Holy Face, especially in Asian countries.  According to credible sources, Cardinal Tagle was among the candidates at the conclave in 2013 which elected Pope Francis.  

Cardinal Tagle during the May 20, 2017 procession (photo by Antonio Bini)