The Pallotine Fathers

I don't know much about the Pallotine Fathers, but I am very impressed by the statement made by Fr. Kretz, the new Rector General of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, founded by Fr. Vincent Pallotti.  I have put underlined the statements I find interesting.

New Superior of Pallottines Views 3 Challenges
Interview With Father Fritz Kretz

ROME, MARCH 16, 2005 (Zenit.org).- A current crisis lies in whether religious, including priests, really believe "that God is really present in our midst," says the new head of the Pallottines.

Father Fritz Kretz, 52, is the new rector-general of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate, a congregation founded by St. Vincent Pallotti (1795-1850).

In late 2004 Father Kretz succeeded Father Seamus Freeman after a 12-year term. The congregation is present in more than 40 countries, with 2,300 religious, including 1,600 priests.

In an interview reported to ZENIT by Paolo Salvo, former editor in chief of Vatican Radio's Central Information Services, the new rector-general of the Pallottines spelled out his three key priorities.

Father Kretz said that he would dedicate himself to promote the implementation of the Pallottines' statutes, as well as community life and the life of faith.

"I think the crisis of our time does not refer so much to the issue of believing, as people today believe in so many things," he said.

Instead, the German priest said, it might also be due to the fact that "many religious people, including priests who carry out a certain function -- I myself included -- must ask ourselves" if we believe "that God is really present in our midst and in our lives."

Father Kretz explained: "St. Vincent Pallotti's idea was to make every one conscious of his vocation to the apostolate. Everyone, not just the hierarchy, priests, religious, but also the laity, is called to the apostolate."

The hour has arrived for "the laity to take a step forward to make this Society a reality, and to have some experience of the complete Church, and not just of a part of it, assuming also responsible roles," he added.

On the crisis of vocations, which also affects the Pallottine family, Father Kretz said that it is "a problem that we have faced in Germany, where I was provincial superior for nine years."

"We must consider that this is a problem that is typical of our time, which affects all vocations, both the religious life as well as marriage," he commented. "In reality, people are afraid to assume a long-term commitment for life.

"What we can do is to look at ourselves, at our life, and ask ourselves how we live our vocation. Am I really living as a man of faith?"

"Is our experience one of a true community, or of living in a kind of hotel, in which we share the same roof but do not experience communion, and we don't even know one another profoundly?" the priest asked. "This is a double aspect in which we must grow and give witness. People want to see witnesses, persons of faith and communion."

Regarding solutions to the problem of vocations, Father Kretz said that "activity on its own is not enough. We are an active, missionary congregation; our mission is the apostolate, but we cannot carry out a fruitful apostolate, without the contemplative dimension, without silence, without time for prayer."

"Prayer is a column; another column is direct contact with people, especially those in need, because they are also a place of encounter with the Lord," added the rector general.

"We meet the Lord in prayer but also when we respond to people's real needs," he said. "I believe these are the two ways through which the Holy Spirit can infuse new life in us, and in our societies: apostolate and mission."

Comments

[kenneth maina]

i'm writing to find out about the pallotines located in kenya.
i'm a kenyan citizen and resident too.
please, can someone hook me up with a pallotine in kenya cuz there are some enquiries i wish to make.
any help accorded shall be regarded.
faithfully yours,
kenneth maina

[Mary Ellen Cote]

I actually have a question. I was at the Shrine of St. Jude in Baltmore yesterday and overheard the priest talking with a guided group. He said that they do not take vows, but promises for a period of time. Therefore, if they decide to leave, they will be free to do so. Is this accurate? Thank you

[Biju Peter]

Dear Father,

This is Biju from Lumberton,

Hope that you are doing fine. Where are you now? You must have left Italy? I am sorry that I could not write to you for a while but I used to remember you when I go to church.

Ms Mary and family has moved to MaryLand as there contract here is over and they are doing fine. And my family is with me right now and we are expecting one more daughter by the end of April here. I will be done with my visa by this June but trying to stay. If everything works fine I may move to another state.

Another news is Fr Ben Uncle is in New York for treatment. His condition was worse at Trivandrum due to kidney failure. Only one works that too 40%. He has not been given a good treatment by the Ashramam at TVM or they cannot afford his treatment. It is ridiculous to watch helplessly when one is suffering, One man had spend his complete life for this particular order and he has to get somebody else help to come to U S. The simple reason to come to U S is not to get high quality treatment but because of his citizenship he can avail free treatment. Here too nobody to take care of him, he has to change place to place as any family or convents cannot hold a man for long time. He may be moving to some Nursing Home. In this stage of life he suffers both mentally and physically. I wonder about the charity of Pallotines! I have some other priests too including the Late Bishop Mathias Kappil of Punalur Diocese as relatives. I could see that they were given treatment and care by their Order. I dont know whether Pallotine are not supposed to get sick or old!!!!

When I asked Ben Uncle about calling some of their House in Baltimore or Florida he kept silence and with difficulty he told me the saying in Malayalam, What will you do with a Curry Leave after use? It was shocking statement for me.

I am sorry to write about this to you Father, this is a letter from a helpless man living here watching his uncle suffers.

If you do not mind, can you give the address or email ID of your head of this order who can hear my grievence or at least can you forward this letter to somebody who can address this.

Thank you Tomyachan

love

Biju Peter.

[paul kang'eri wachira]

christ thy kingdom come, am a kenyan young man interested to know more about the pallotines and their ministry. i would wish they help me about vocation discernment especially of priesthood in their congregation.thank you.

[Marcellenius]

i want to know more about your formation

[Carolyne Njoki Kariuki]

Am enquiring some information on Father Dezire Bakananga from Zaire who was once in Kenya and living at pallotines father home in Dagorretti Corner since i lost all the contacts.

[LAWANI JOHN]

pls ,father vocation director i would like to be a pallotine priest. What are the requiremments?
Am a Nig.