Rogationists
Encyclopedia
The Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus (RCJ) is a religious Congregation of priests and brothers founded by St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia (1851-1927). Rogationist comes from the Latin word, "rogate..." which means "Pray..." The spirituality of the Congregation is centered on the words of Jesus Christ in the Christian Gospel:
Hence, they carry out the mission of:
The Congregation of the Rogationists originated in Italy and spread to several other countries in Europe
, United States
, Brazil
, Argentina
, Rwanda
, India
and the Philippines
. In the United States
the Rogationists established their first community in 1967 assuming parish work in Mendota, California
. At present, there are three Rogationist communities in California
. Their houses are in Sanger, Van Nuys and in Camarillo.
in 1869. At 16 she entered the congregation that was newly founded by Fr. Hannibal. M. Di Francia, with the special mission to answer the command of Jesus; "Rogate-Pray the Lord of the Harvest..." She lived this with remarkable humility in prayer and effective witnessing among the poor, the orphans, the outcasts, the needy... She was a Mother, Teacher, Friend and Servant of all. She died in 1939 at the age of 70. Her life was marked with faithfulness to God, to the people entrusted to her care, to the Congregation where she became the "cornerstone"-the Co-foundress. The process of her beatification
started in 1989.
and the neighboring communities emergency assistance such as: food, clothing, medicine, limited rent and utilities assistance, overnight lodging, gasoline etc.
Fr. Hannibal House operates under the guidelines established by the Board of Directors.
The beneficiaries of this center could be anyone from the Sanger area and the neighboring communities who is "in need." People in need include: families in emergency situations; disabled, low income families; transients, homeless and jobless.
The support for Fr. Hannibal House comes from the community organizations and churches, St. Mary's Parish of Sanger, the City of Sanger, United Way, County of Fresno,the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA), local merchants, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Sanger, the Rogationist Charities and from various donors and benefactors
Our benefactors are placed under the protection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, St Anthony of Padua and Our Blessed Founder.
The Rogationist Priests, Brothers, Seminarians and those entrusted to our care, pledge to remember daily in our prayers all those who, by their help, share in our mission.
We are ever mindful of the words of Jesus...
- "The harvest is rich but the workers are few. Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest that He may send workers into His harvest" (Mt.9:37-38/Lk.10:2).
Hence, they carry out the mission of:
- praying for Vocations to the priestly and consecrated life in the ChurchRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
and propagating this prayer worldwide. - caring and promoting the human and spiritual welfare of orphans, needy children and the poor.
The Congregation of the Rogationists originated in Italy and spread to several other countries in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
the Rogationists established their first community in 1967 assuming parish work in Mendota, California
Mendota, California
Mendota is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 11,014 at the 2010 census. The State Routes 180 and 33 run through the agricultural city. Mendota is located south-southeast of Firebaugh, at an elevation of 174 feet ....
. At present, there are three Rogationist communities in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Their houses are in Sanger, Van Nuys and in Camarillo.
Daughters of Divine Zeal
Mother Mary Nazarene Majone was born in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in 1869. At 16 she entered the congregation that was newly founded by Fr. Hannibal. M. Di Francia, with the special mission to answer the command of Jesus; "Rogate-Pray the Lord of the Harvest..." She lived this with remarkable humility in prayer and effective witnessing among the poor, the orphans, the outcasts, the needy... She was a Mother, Teacher, Friend and Servant of all. She died in 1939 at the age of 70. Her life was marked with faithfulness to God, to the people entrusted to her care, to the Congregation where she became the "cornerstone"-the Co-foundress. The process of her beatification
Beatification
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a dead person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in his or her name . Beatification is the third of the four steps in the canonization process...
started in 1989.
Vocation and apostolate
As an expression of their charism, the Rogationists dedicate their lives in the apostolate in favor of the poor. In various places throughout the world, the Congregation has established orphanages, health and nutrition centers, schools for the deaf and dumb, technical-vocational schools, scholarship programs for poor children, centers for professional management, centers for relief and assistance, parishes and oratories-
- "I feel a bond of holy friendship with everyone on earth either of my religion or another, rich or poor, employer or worker, humble and needy people or high aristocracyAristocracyAristocracy , is a form of government in which a few elite citizens rule. The term derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best". In origin in Ancient Greece, it was conceived of as rule by the best qualified citizens, and contrasted with monarchy...
. I have seen a brother and my Lord in everyone of them. The most beautiful things I have desired for me in this life and the next, I have desired equally for all."
- "I feel a bond of holy friendship with everyone on earth either of my religion or another, rich or poor, employer or worker, humble and needy people or high aristocracy
-
- -St. Hannibal Di Francia
Fr. Hannibal House (social service center)
Fr. Hannibal House is a non-profit Catholic organization provides emergency help to people in need, regardless of race, religion or national origin. It provides the people of SangerSanger, California
Sanger is a city in Fresno County, California, United States. The population was 24,270 at the 2010 census, up from 18,731 at the 2000 census. Sanger is located east-southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 371 feet .- Geography :...
and the neighboring communities emergency assistance such as: food, clothing, medicine, limited rent and utilities assistance, overnight lodging, gasoline etc.
Fr. Hannibal House operates under the guidelines established by the Board of Directors.
The beneficiaries of this center could be anyone from the Sanger area and the neighboring communities who is "in need." People in need include: families in emergency situations; disabled, low income families; transients, homeless and jobless.
The support for Fr. Hannibal House comes from the community organizations and churches, St. Mary's Parish of Sanger, the City of Sanger, United Way, County of Fresno,the Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
(FEMA), local merchants, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Sanger, the Rogationist Charities and from various donors and benefactors
Mission statement
The Rogationist Fathers of the Heart of Jesus, are a Catholic Order dedicated to continuing the works of our Founder, St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia. We pray and nurture vocations to the Priesthood and the Religious Life. We work to spread a greater awareness for all vocations in the Church. We assist children and youth, especially all those who are underprivleged and in poverty.Our benefactors are placed under the protection of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary, St Anthony of Padua and Our Blessed Founder.
The Rogationist Priests, Brothers, Seminarians and those entrusted to our care, pledge to remember daily in our prayers all those who, by their help, share in our mission.
We are ever mindful of the words of Jesus...
- "What you do for the least of your brothers, you do for Me."