10 years
Heralds of the Gospel: First Charism Approved in the Third Millennium
Pope John Paul II elevated the Heralds of the Gospel to the canonical status of International Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right. With this, a new charism was recognized by the Church.
Ten years later, the work of the Heralds had grown externally and internally. A deepened understanding of its own charism fostered vigorous developments within the new religious family.
The account of the unfolding of accomplishments and achievements arising after February 22, 2001, under the blessing of this approval, brings to mind the words of Pope Benedict XVI in his recent book, “Light of the World”:
We are witnessing “new Catholic awakenings, a dynamic of new movements, for instance, the Heralds of the Gospel, young people who are seized by the enthusiasm of having acknowledged Christ as the Son of God and of bringing him into the world.”
In Canada, the Heralds celebrated the event bringing together friends of the association in the cities of Toronto and Montreal.
Following a homage to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a solemn mass was celebrated by Fr. Ryan Murphy, EP, missionary in Ecuador, at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Toronto and by Fr. François Bandet, EP. at St. Ignatius parish in Montreal.
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The Two Pillars
Visit of the relics of St. John Bosco – Impressions of a Heralds Companion 
On the 5th October 2010 the relics of St. Don Bosco were on display at St. Benedict’s Church in Etobicoke. The relics; which included the bones and tissues of the right hand and arm were placed within a wax replica of St. John Bosco’s body; were on display from 7:30am till 11:30pm.
At 9:30pm after waiting in line for about 15 minutes I was let into the church to view the relics. Walking into the church was quite an experience. The Church was packed with barely a few seats at the back. On the left of the altar was the wax replica of St. John Bosco’s body containing the relics. Around the 3 walls of the church (excluding the altar wall) people were lined up to touch the relics. I sat down at the back of the church, while 2 youth cantors sang hymns of praise. A few moments later we were all asked to kneel down and the cantors sang ‘O Salutaris Hostia’ as youth of the Don Bosco Youth movement came in with candles to light the altar candles. The whole church, all of us, of different races, we were in one voice singing in the language of the Holy Roman church. It was as if for that moment the Tower of Babel never happened.
When all the candles on the altar were lit, a priest came in with the Monstrance containing the Most Blessed Sacrament. The Monstrance was placed on the altar and everyone silently venerated the Blessed Sacrament.
A youth dressed up as St. Don Bosco, wearing black vestments and biretta, went to the microphone and read out one of the dreams of St. Don Bosco. The dream was the vision of the two pillars, where the battle ships are attacking a stately ship. The stately ship is commanded by the Holy Father and is surrounded by the flotilla of ships that protect it from the attacks of the warship. The Holy Father eventually gets wounded and dies and the enemy is rejoicing, but a new Holy Father is elected and he guides the ship safely and moors the ship to the two pillars, on top of one pillar is the Host and atop the other is the Blessed Virgin Mary. I was awestruck because in front of my eyes on the left was the relic of St. Don Bosco and on the right was the Blessed Sacrament. The two pillars! St. Don Bosco used to have a motto ‘to Jesus through Mary’.
We had a time of silent veneration of the Blessed Sacrament again, there was a stillness in the church and yet a kind of electricity a sense of something much bigger. The adoration of the Blessed sacrament continued on with 2 youths giving testimonies of their conversion. Their stories reminded me of yet another dream of St. Don Bosco, his vision of Hell. One night a guide led St. Don Bosco down the broad road to hell, it was a sloping road with many traps. But in between the traps providence had placed knives to break the traps, the knives were the Holy Eucharist, the rosary, devotions to the saints, holy confession etc. Can you imagine, here was Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and the relics of St. Don Bosco, all ways provided by providence to avoid the snares of the evil one. While adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continued, various priests were available for the sacrament of Holy Confession.
Towards the end of the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, we sung ‘Tantum Ergo’ and the divine praises as the Blessed Sacrament was reposed. People were invited to come up to the altar and light their candles as the lights in the church were turned down. Oh how symbolic this was, ‘You are the light of the world, no one puts a light under a basket, you are a city built on a hill.’ We had received the light, from all the lives and teachings saints (St Don Bosco), and from Christ himself. It was a dark rainy night in the city and in St. Benedict’s church we were the light: a light to carry out to the dark world, a light bolstered by the two pillars of the Holy Eucharist and devotion to Our Lady.
After the final hymns of praise, I lined up to touch my rosary to the relic of St. Don Bosco. So that each time I say the holy rosary, I am reminded of the beautiful grace filled evening and that i never forget the two pillars.
New Companions
A new group of Companions of the Heralds of the Gospel was received in the association during a solemn Mass celebrated by Fr. François Bandet, EP at Our Lady of Sorrows parish in Toronto.
According to the Statutes of the Heralds of the Gospel, these Companions are those who, “while they identify themselves with the spirit of the Association, due to their priestly duties, or because they belong to an institute of consecrated life or a society of apostolic life, or due to their professional or family obligations, cannot give themselves fully to the work of the Association” (Statute 9).
As married or single lay people living in the world, priests, deacons, religious, lay people of consecrated life or members of other associations or ecclesiastical movements, the Companions of the Heralds of the Gospel, besides observing the precepts and duties proper to their state in life, make an effort to live in conformity with the charism and spirituality of the Association, dedicating their free time to it and committing themselves to fulfill certain obligations.
They desire to apply to their daily life — in their family circles, during social activities and in the workplace — the spirit and teaching of the Heralds of the Gospel, being witnesses of Christ to their neighbor by both word and example.
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Lift Jesus Higher Rally 2010
Each year, the Heralds of the Gospel participate in the Lift Jesus Higher Rally at the Convention Centre in Toronto held on April 24. This annual event bring together thousands of people of the diocese of Toronto and surrounding area.
As usual, the Heralds opened the day with a solemn crowning of the statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and participated in the Closing Mass celebrated this year by Bishop Vincent Nguyen.
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New Companions
On Saturday 19th, 2009 at 11:am, at Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, in Toronto, 5 new companions were received on a solemn Mass concelebrated by Fr Marcos Faes, EP and Fr. François Bandet, EP.
The Heralds of the Gospel are very happy to receive these five new members into their spiritual family: Mrs. Marie Bilof, Mrs. Lourdes Fernandes, Ms. Theresa Fernandes, Mrs. Mary Cruz and Mr. Luis Cruz.
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Invitation: Solemn Mass on Saturday December 19th
The Heralds of the Gospel would like to invite you and your family for a Solemn Mass on
Saturday December 19th @ 10 a.m.
Our Lady of Sorrows Church,
3055 Bloor Street West, Etobicoke, ON.
During the Mass, concelebrated by Fr. Marcos Faes, EP and Fr. François Bandet, EP, new companions of the Heralds of the Gospel will be officialy received.