I had been longing for a crucifix. I had wanted it within my reach in times of trials, adversities, persecutions or pain that God will allow to send me so that I have something to hold onto to give me strength. I had wanted to have it as a gift from any religious person -- a priest, a nun or a religious brother. One that is already used and antiquated. Never in my wildest thinking that God would send me in my life a friend, a religious brother, who would give me his precious possession saturated with history, a gift to him by the Congregation he belongs to during his first profession as a religious brother: the missionary crucifix.
In his own words, Brother Dominique, OBSJC shares the history of the missionary crucifix as told to him by the superior of the Congregation:
"On August 20, 1920, the Franciscan missionary Capuchins of Bethlehem, started their "business" of making crucifixes made out of olive wood and many other religious items.
One of the Capuchin missionaries, Fr. Sebastian, OFM Cap. brought one crucifix from their factory to the Vatican City (St. Peter's Basilica) to be blessed by Fr. Gabriele Amorth (later to be the head exorcist of the Vatican in 1970); but there was an emergency meeting at the Vatican that Fr. Sebastian, OFM Cap. needed to attend since he was one of the appointed Franciscans of their congregation, so he left the crucifix to the care of Fr. Gabriele Amorth.
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| The missionary crucifix was blessed and used by Fr. Gabriele Amorth in his ministry |
Fr. Gabriele Amorth used the crucifix to his ministry. Three days later, Fr. Sebastian returned to the office of Fr. Gabriele Amorth to get the crucifix. In 1952, Fr. Sebastian was sent by his superior to the Philippines as a Missionary. He became the superior of the newly constructed convent at Santa Barbara, Pangasinan where he met the Pauline Fathers. One of the Pauline Fathers became his friend, Father John of the Sacred Heart, FSP. In 1956, Fr. Sebastian became very ill that he could no longer walk so as he trusted Fr. John, FSP, he gave his missionary crucifix to his trusted friend. Weeks later, Fr. Sebastian passed away. In 1960, Fr. John arrived in the island of Mindanao. He became the missionary to the Muslims carrying the crucifix along with him. There he met the Passionist Fathers. In 1963, he died from a certain illness and before he passed away, he handed over the missionary crucifix to the Passionist Fathers. In 1999, the crucifix was handed down to the Superior of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St. John Cantius where I belong. In 2020, I took my first profession as a religious brother. As it has already been the tradition in my congregation, the superior gifted me with the sentimental missionary crucifix on that special day of my religious vocation.
Thus, as I have decided, I have given the missionary crucifix entrusted to me by my Congregation to my lay friend, Mr. Ferdinand Jacinto."
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| Fr. Sebastian, OFM Cap. (left), Fr. Dominic, OFM Cap. (center) and Fr. Martinez De Gonzaléz, OFM Cap. (right) |
