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Former Superior General
Named Bishop

Most Reverend Ronald P. Fabbro, C.S.B. was ordained the tenth Bishop of London, Ontario, Canada August 15, the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, at St. Peter’s Basilica in London. He is the second Basilian to preside in London. Bishop Denis O’Connor, who was the third bishop, presided from 1890 -1899. 

In one of the most solemn ceremonies of the Church, Bishop Fabbro was ordained by his predecessor in the London diocese, Most Reverend John Michael Sherlock, with Bishops Ricardo Ramirez, C.S.B., and Richard Grecco assisting as co-consecrators. Bishop Fabbro will be in charge of approximately 450,000 souls in his new work. 

A native of Sudbury, Ontario (Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie), Bishop Fabbro entered the Basilians in 1975 and was ordained in 1980. His educational background is in math and moral theology. Interviewed about his appointment as bishop, Father Fabbro expressed his feelings that it was not only a personal honor, but an honor for his community. He said, “I look forward to getting to know the people and being enriched by their faith.”

Bishop Fabbro’s Coat of Arms

The crossed pick-axes represent the mining industry of Sudbury, Canada, the bishop’s place of birth, as well as “a worker” (faber in Latin), from which “Fabbro” is derived. Three symbols are taken from the Arms of the bishop’s religious congregation, the Basilian Fathers. The Fleur de lis is a symbol of the Blessed Virgin Mary and of France, the country of origin of the Basilians. The chalice represents the fullness of the priesthood. The open book represents learning, and is also symbolic of the word of God. 

As his personal motto, Bishop Fabbro chose:“Secundum verbum tuum doce me“ “Teach me according to your word.” This is from Psalms 119:169, and expresses the fundamental attitude of heart and mind of the believer before the word of God. Jesus lived and gave his life in complete obedience to God’s word. He taught this word, entrusted it to his disciples and sent them out to bear witness to it. The bishop’s motto is closely related to the Basilian motto - “Teach me goodness, discipline and knowledge.” As a teacher, Bishop Fabbro was inspired by the Basilian charism of education in the Church’s mission of evangelization. Trusting in Jesus who sends the Holy Spirit to teach us, the bishop seeks to give his life in service of God’s word.

Mission Mentions

Retrovaille in Mexico

Father Alberto Rojas has been working with retreats for married couples using the Retrovaille program. Retrouvaille has a Canadian heritage. It began in 1977 as a French language weekend for hurting marriages in the province of Quebec, Canada, and was adapted into English in Toronto, where it was also revised and strengthened and the post-weekend programs were developed. Since 1982, the program has been spreading worldwide. The primary goal of the ministry is to provide help for couples who live in the disappointment and pain of a marriage in trouble. The weekend helps couples communicate and to gain an awareness of themselves and of their relationship. The post-weekend provides a support group as couples discuss concepts of the importance of listening and intimacy. 

Books for Colombia

We have been overwhelmed at mission headquarters with the generous response to our request for books for the students of Our Lady of Asuncion in Colombia. Funds to purchase the books which enrich their education are on their way to Father Frank Amico as well as the bookplates which will be pasted inside the donated books. You may still help in this effort. If you would like to donate a book for the school, simply send your check designated “for books” to Father Jack along with the names of the person donating the book and the name of who is being honored by the donation. We will print a bookplate with your information to be sent on to Colombia. In the name of Father Amico and all the parishioners of Nuestra Senora Asuncion, we thank you, our faithful co-missionaries.

Loaves and Fishes

Father Vince Thompson spearheads a project known as Loaves and Fishes in Bogota in one of the poorest of the barrios. When poor women from the barrio began appealing to Father Vince for food for their families, he could not turn them down. So he reached in the Basilian cupboard. The numbers requesting food grew and eventually a house was rented from the diocese where today representatives of over 160 families come weekly. They come in small groups to hear a brief talk and receive the bread, milk, and rice that keeps their family from starvation. Local companies donate part of the food; the rest is funded by generous Basilian donors.

Violence Isn’t All

“When we speak of the violence here, in some ways it is out of context because it appears that nothing else happens outside of, or alongside of, the violence. What is amazing is that against the backdrop of violence people are sowing the seed hoping by the grace of God that it finds good soil in which to grow in the midst of all the weeds and with great hope and divine patience waiting for the promised kingdom in all its fullness.” - Rev. Bob Seguin, CSB from Medellin.

New Administrator at Caltepec 

Father John Boscoe is the administrator at Caltepec, a large rural area where the quality of life is marginal and difficult. Here, Fathers Boscoe, Bill Frankenburger and Jess Owens have charge of sixteen churches and chapels in that single parish. Many of these are remote, high in the mountains; twelve towns and ranch communities are incorporated in the area. Originally consisting of 22 pueblos, in 2000 the parish was divided and the new parish of Santiago Acatepec was formed and turned back to the Diocese of Tehuacan. Three pueblos from a third parish were incorporated into Caltepec making a total of twelve towns now served by the Basilians.

New House of Studies in Veracruz

A Basilian House of Studies (Casa San Felipe) was begun in 1967 as a house of formation for young men interested in joining the congregation. This house has recently moved from Mexico City to the Archdiocese of Xalapa in the state of Veracruz. The new house is located near the excellent diocesan seminary. Father Alejandro Romero is the Master of Scholastics and Director of Vocations. Father Roberto Rojas, who is the superior of the Basilians in Mexico will assist him in the job of formation and be in charge of a nearby chapel. 

What, no collar?

You may notice that our priests in the Mexican missions are sometimes shown in photos without a Roman collar. This is a custom throughout the country and is a holdover from the religious persecutions. Article 130 of the Constitution of 1917 prohibited the wearing of clerical garb in public. Article 130, along with other anticlerical articles, was only stricken from the constitution in 1992 in order to pave the way for establishing diplomatic relations with the Vatican. Today, although clerical garb is not still strictly forbidden, only the bishops and members of a few religious orders are seen in public in Mexico in the traditional habits or collars.

Father Vince Plays Dumb Tourist

Recently, Father Vince Thompson was riding a bus in Colombia when the bus was stopped by paramilitaries. He wanted to take a photo of the happening, but didn’t realize his flash was turned on. The bright light infuriated the paramilitary boarding the bus, so Father Vince had to play like a “dumb tourist.” The paramilitary grabbed the camera and ripped out the film. Father Vince escaped with an empty camera and his life. That same week in a different incident, a young seminarian who had challenge the paramilitary was shot and killed. All we can say to Father Vince is “No more candid camera!”

A Note From Father Jack:

Dear Friends of the Basilian Fathers Missions,

God bless you for all that you do and have done for the Basilian Missions. Because of your prayers, sacrifices and alms, we have been able to extend the Kingdom of God on earth to places where people have never heard of a loving Father in Heaven, a Jesus who died on the Cross so that they could be saved.

For over 2,000 years, faithful people like yourselves have responded to the Lord’s mandate given at the time of His Ascension: “Go to the ends of the earth and bring the Gospel to all peoples.”

Some people, like the Apostles, gave their lives for the spread of the Gospel. Our own Aldemar Rodriguez Carvajal, a young lay catechist and friend of the youth, was tortured and killed in Colombia because he loved God and his neighbor. Others, like St. Francis Xavier, traveled half way around the world to share Jesus with the peoples of the East. Our missionaries follow in his footsteps to foreign shores. Like you, the Little Flower of Jesus, St. Therese, never went to the missions. Still, she was declared the heavenly patroness of the missions because of her constant prayers for them, and the shower of favors she sent to them from Heaven after her death.

Your support of the Basilian Missions is a beautiful response to God’s call and is indeed a pious work done in the spirit of love for the truly poor of the world and those who are anxiously awaiting the word of God in their lives.

As you pray for your deceased loved ones, especially on the Feast of All Souls, be assured that you and your dear ones will be remembered in our Masses and prayers. 

Rev. John R. Whitley, C.S.B.