He experiences his vocation in every tradition

I was born into an agnostic family in Italy, a culturally Catholic country. The image of the clergy and the Church that was conveyed to me was not a flattering picture, and I admit that for many years I didn’t bother to form my own opinion. Then, in the midst of an identity and meaning crisis, I visited Father Enea with some friends. He is a missionary who had recently returned to Italy. I was deeply impressed by his informal way of interacting and the fact that his account reflected a simple life with much listening shared with the marginalized, largely consisting of manual laborers. The Church that Father Enea spoke of is merciful, attentive, where every person is loved and welcomed as they are simply because they are created in the image of God. 

I am fortunate: over the years, I have encountered other priests like Father Enea, and not only within the Catholic tradition. These are men and women priests, who are either celibate or married, who give themselves to their vocation with commitment and dedication, who creatively bring the message of the Gospel into contexts where it is not usually heard, and who reflect in their daily lives the infinite love that God has for each of us. 

by Ilaria Buonriposi
Missionary nun