HOMILY AT THE SOLEMN DEDICATION OF MOUNT CALVARY
PIOUS UNION OF ST. JOSEPH
October 28, 2007

In the name of Jesus, I greet with spiritual joy - the beloved brethren of the congregation of Servants of Charity and their vi.siting Superiors from the Philippines, India and Rome; the Daughters of St Mary of Providence and the Guanellian Cooperators, all on fire with the charism of Blessed Luigi Guanella; Members of the Pious Union of St. Joseph, prayerful and loving servants of the sick and dying; everyone from St. Louis Center; all from this Shrine; and everyone present:

In this Mass and the sacred events of this day we bring together Our Crucified Lord, St. Joseph and Blessed Luigi Guanella. They are the very heart, identity and mission of the Servants of Charity.

We celebrate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Our Saviour in this Eucharist - Christ present for us - in his total act ov love and gift. Drawing us into that love so we too can become the 'Body Given Up - the Blood Poured Out'.

We celebrate Blessed Luigi Guanella, the Holy Founder and his charism of charity for the little ones. We celebrate St. Joseph into whose hand God entrusted his most precious possessions - Jesus and his Mother. Blessed Luigi will call those entrusted to him 'my treasures my good children'.

We witness in our time and celebrate today the never ceasing miracles of grace which transform the lines of those who are served and those who serve in the love of Jesus - our diocese and many people and I thank Our Lord for the followers of Blessed Luigi Guanella. The gentle and generous love, sacrifice and courage of the Servants of Charity and all Guanellians is a sacred gift. The diocese and I are proud of them and their saving mission at St. Louis Center and here at the Shrine of the Pious Union of St. Joseph.

Two vital truths governed the life and mission of Blessed Luigi Guanella: It is 'GOD WHO WORKS': His serene reliance on Divine Providence. As he approached death in 1915 he was asked, "Who will take over after you?" Fr. Guanella replied, "It is God who works". The words concluding the homily of Pope Paul VI at the Beatification in 1964 were, 'It is God who works'. The 2nd truth: 'Give them BREAD and the LORD'. He once said, "the poor are our masters. They constitute a perennial 'sacrament of Christ'. They are Vicars of Christ remaining here on earth".

In an address of John Paul II in 1982, he said: "He was extremely sensitive to the situations of the marginal, the handicapped, of orphans, the aged, the invalids of people without homes and love. He desired to be always the Good Samaritan of the Gospel to all and dedicate his life completely to works of mercy. He said: 'Victims are needed in everything and there is special need of victims conforming to the great Victim of Calvary, to raise towers of salvation for souls'”.

A little story from his own lips: "Once he was waiting in a train station. A priest sat next to him and asked his opinion - 'What do you think about Fr. Luigi Guanella? Some say he is a holy man, others think he is crazy. Have you heard of him? What do you think'? Father Guanella answered: 'I think he is crazy'".

In his early years at home and as a youth and in priestly life, SAINT JOSEPH was a strong and gentle presence and guide. The 'Way of Joseph' became the way of Blessed Luigi and the Servants of Charity. From the humble born 'Basilichetta' of 1912 in a poor part of Rome - Trianfale now a minor Basilica - to this 'Basilichetta' of St. Joseph at this Shrine. St. Joseph is present in the Community and loving service of the Guanellians. What is this 'Way of Joseph'?

God called Joseph and entrusted to him, his most precious possessions - Jesus and his Mother Mary. The Bible gives us NOT one word spoken by Joseph - BUT his actions speak volumes. Matthew tells of 3 calls. Each time, knowing nothing but trusting, Joseph immediately did what God asked. Like Joseph, Blessed Luigi said often: "It is God who works". Joseph's way - faith, obedience and loyalty of heart. Love - in discipline of heart and body, manly devotion and fidelity. Humble - in everyday routine of selfless service. Fidelity - to the ordinary which is extraordinary.

Blessed Luigi was deeply inspirited and motivated at the death of Joseph - a happy death in the loving and divine presence of Jesus and the love of his Spouse the Blessed Virgin Mary. This led to the Pious Union of St. Joseph, patron of the sick and dying in 1914 that continues here.

The General Chapter of The Servants of Charity was in Rome during Jubilee 2000. The theme was 'Our Witness in the Third Millennium'. Pope John Paul II addressed the Chapter: "As you face these demanding challenges, the shining example of Blessed Luigi Guanella will prompt you to choose the commandment of love as the essential criterion of your being and acting, expressed in decisions to serve and to promote the advancement of the poorest people. This will spur you to be present on the frontiers of charity, with full trust in Providence.

As in the past, your religious family can rely on the active contribution of many lay cooperators, both men and women. Drawn by the Guanellian charism, they generously share in your mission as "Good Samaritans" to the marginalized, thus living the basic Gospel vocation to charity.

The presence at your Chapter of representatives of the Guanellian Sisters and of a lay group is very significant in this regard. It will help you to deepen the unity and strengthen the cooperation of Fr. Guanella's spiritual children; so that your witness to charity and your efforts for a more just and fraternal world can be more effective".

The CROSS is no longer a gallows. The CROSS is the throne from which Christ reigns - St. Jose Maria Escriva +1975