Fr. Angelo Ademir Mezzari, 10th Superior General of the Rogationists

The afternoon of Monday, August 2, was marked by an hour of Eucharistic adoration with which we wanted to ask from the Holy Spirit efficient light on the person to be elected. Immediately after, at the hall, the voting procedures of the Superior General started. On the third round the new superior general was elected. At 5:50 P.M., the President of the General Chapter, Fr. Francesco Bruno, proclaimed Fr. Angelo Ademir MEZZARI, 10th Superior General of the Rogationists. Fr. Angelo Mezzari was born in Criciuma SC (Brasil) on April 2, 1957, (Fr. Giorgio Nalin, ex-superior general, was born on April 2, 1951!), first of seven siblings and, at the age of eleven, he entered the Apostolic School of Criciuma SC where, under the guidance of the first Rogationist Missionaries in Brazil, he learned to love the Congregation. For eight years now, he has been the head of the Latin-American Province which he guided to the next Provincial Chapter that will be celebrated beginning on October 18, 2010. He was ordained priest on December 22, 1984. He did his licentiate in philosophy and theology with specialization in dogma, and licentiate in journalism. He speaks Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, and is one of the founders of the Institute of Pastoral Ministry of Vocations in Brazil, respected and appreciated by the Episcopal Conference of Brazil. Before accepting the election which was almost like a plebiscite, Fr. Angelo Mezzari requested for some minutes of personal reflection, during which he telephoned his mother from whom he received blessing. His father died last February. Returning to the hall, he broke his silence, and after the expressions of elation from the Chapter members he took oath and received the obedience of the confreres. The intense and moving day concluded at the chapel with the vespers during which the new superior general proclaimed the profession of faith.