I Called You by Your Name

Father Afonso Wosny’s First Mass in the Chapel of the Mae de Deus School in Londrina, Brazil

Prédica: P. Alexandre Awi Sermon: Fr. Alexandre Awi Predigt: P. Alexandre Awi
En el altar At the altar Am Altar
P. Afonso agradece a todos Fr. Afonso thanks all P. Afonso bedankt sich bei allen
Haciendo colas para recibir la bendición Forming long lines to receive the blessing Schlangen bildeten sich für den Primizsegen
Bendición Blessing Primizsegen Fotos: Cabral © 2008 Álbum de fotos – photo album – Fotoalbum

BRAZIL, Javier Cabral. Sunday, May 25^th, was a radiant day. The Shrine in Londrina was splendid. It was almost 10:00 AM and the people were coming to the chapel of the Mae de Deus School of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary. It had been beautifully decorated with large pitchers, flowers, grapes and different kinds of plants. At the altar could be read "Chamei-te pelo teu nome," "I called you by your name." This was the priestly motto for the new priest, Afonso Wosny. He would soon be celebrating his First Mass in the city of his birth.

The entrance procession was followed with great expectation. Father Afonso was surrounded by members of his community and he occupied the central place in order to begin the ceremony. He thanked all those who had accompanied and supported him in different ways during the long years of study leading to his ordination.

Father Cabello read the Gospel and Father Alexandre Awi followed with the sermon. He referred to the readings and recalled his first encounters with the now Father Afonso. He said that three women were now especially happy in heaven: the Virgin Mary, the mother of the new priest, María Cristina, and Fr. Afonso’s dear aunt Vía. At that moment, Father Alexandre’s voice broke with emotion but was soon able to continue.

AAA batteries

He reviewed: I called you by your name….., may Christ be the axis of your life…..etc. He bent down and raised a lantern, the kind that has intermittent lights and sirens. He explained that the life of the priest must be a lantern and at times a reflector and that lanterns need strong batteries like the AAA batteries.

He unscrewed the top and took out three batteries which he have to Father Cabello to hold.

He explained that the task of the priest needs three AAA batteries. He replaced the first A Battery: ABANDONMENT.

He must surrender and abandon himself into the hands of God. Our first concern should be to live fully without worry. After explaining the importance of abandonment, he replaced the second A battery: JOY.

In the case of Afonsiño, Father Afonso he corrected, it is something normal. This is something which surges from him spontaneously. His smile and his good disposition are characteristic of him.

As a personal testimony, he highlighted the great joy it is to be a priest…..this time the break in his voice was longer. After a pause, he summarized the idea of joy and lastly placed in the lantern the third A battery: LOVE.

Father Alexandre mentioned that he knew of the great love that Fr. Afonso had for the Virgin Mary, for his community of Schoenstatt Fathers, and for the entire community in general.

Then he turned on the light and indicated that he was certain that he would be that strong light. He then turned on the siren. A loud ow ow ow filled the room. He said: I am sure that it will be a very loud as Father Afonso has always been. He concluded with the laughter of those present.

The public applauded greatly the homily and Fr. Afonso also thanked Fr. Alexandre for having heeded his petition that he preach the homily, and he said at last: "I have recharged my batteries."

Long lines to receive the first blessing

Every moment was filled with great emotion…..the consecration…..the greetings…..the expressions of gratitude…..etc, etc.

Fr. Afonso explained briefly the symbol of the two hands on his stole. One is the hand of God which calls and the other is the hand of man who responds to that call. At that moment, I recalled that the cake prepared for the toast the evening prior had this same symbol.

At the end of the ceremony, Father Antonio Bracht thanked the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary for the detailed preparations they took care of at the first Mass, at the ordination, and at the toast. He said that all of those details made everyone feel at home and as a family.

He then invited everyone to the Shrine where Fr. Afonso would impose his hands on everyone present.

A long line formed in the hot sun, but no one resisted. While I was waiting, I noticed that the majority of the people took advantage of the time to greet those they knew and to renew old friendships.

One of the pilgrims told me, "How lucky that we came, everything is beautiful."

I honestly thought that they were moments of grace, moments of great emotion, moments which strengthen…..moments which help to recharge one’s batteries…..

Translation: Carlos Cantú Family Federation La Feria, Texas USA 060508