Cardinal Ivan Dias reported that Pope Benedict XVI said “He went right to Heaven” on hearing the news of Fr. Gobbi’s death the day after the Memorial Mass at Collevalenza, Italy.
The following are some notes I took from Cardinal Ivan Dias’ Homily on the occasion of Fr. Gobbi’s passing from this life to eternity. The Homily was given by the Cardinal (who is the Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples) on June 30th, 2011 at a Memorial Mass of Thanksgiving during the Annual International Retreat Cenacle of the Marian Movement of Priests in Collevalenza, Italy. About 300 priests and 15 Bishops were in attendance, (see video). Fr. Gobbi’s body was present for the mass the day after his death in Milan and then returned to Northern Italy for the Funeral Mass in Dongo (Como), Italy.
“‘As Christians we believe nothing is coincidence but rather providence.’ We see providence coming from Our Lady. Yesterday was his passing and today we celebrate this first Eucharist since his death… together!
Fr. Gobbi opened his heart to Our Lady and he transmitted her messages to the world through cenacles. Personally I am a part of the Movement for nearly 40 years. When I first came to Rome, I joined a charismatic group and they had prophecies. But when I read the Blue Book I saw a simple language of the Spirit, where the Bride and the Bridegroom come together. I was a friend of Don Stefano and I received him as Nuncio of Korea or wherever I might be… he is a true priest! It is not coincidence that he is here in the middle of this retreat. God wanted him here for the 1st Mass of Thanksgiving!
We are here as spokespersons for all those who consecrate themselves to Her Immaculate Heart. We all are a mixture of human and spiritual and as human we need to lift up the heart remembering the good things Fr. Gobbi has done for us and now he can do more for us from the other side.
When I spoke to Pope Benedict XVI about the Movement, which he knows as Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, he spoke and asked about Don Stefano and tomorrow I will see the Holy Father and tell him of these events. He appreciates all those who pray for him. ( italics are my words: One of the 3 commitments of the MMP is to pray for the Pope).
Yesterday, (the day of his death) was the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul and the 60th Anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s priestly Ordination. This is not a coincidence! Today we read about the transfer of the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament. This is not a coincidence!
(Saturday, the day approaching for his funeral was the 1st Saturday [Fatima] but also the Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary! This is not a coincidence!)
Let us today be filled with joy for our strong and loyal friend Don Stefano!
In Korea, Our Lady cried Tears of Blood for priests to bring Jesus forth. Our priestly dignity is for God, even to the point of shedding blood. There is ferocious fighting against the priesthood and the Devil’s attacks on the priesthood. A couple of years ago at a retreat in Rome, John Paul II said regarding the need for more priests, ‘the world needs holy priests, not just numbers, otherwise we will have quantity not quality.’
Soon there will be a great clash between the forces of Good and Evil! Christians don’t even notice it, but it is coming! Therefore, let us offer this Mass for the suffrage of Don Stefano Gobbi and also in Thanks to God for his mission and to continue his message, in humble unity, which is the greatest force against the enemy! In silence now let us thank God for the gift of Don Stefano and our needs.”
The following day at dinner, Cardinal Dias called the retreat from Rome and it was relayed to us that upon sharing these events with Pope Benedict XVI, the Holy Father said “He went right to Heaven”.
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