During the service celebrated a month to the day after the missionary’s abduction, his fellow clergymen in the Philippines pray that the kidnappers’ hearts be touched and that Father Bossi be allowed to go back to the place where God invited him to serve his flock.

Zamboanga (AsiaNews) – A plea to the Lord “that he may free Fr Giancarlo Bossi from the unjust fate of captivity and return him as soon as possible to the freedom Christ gave to all His children” opened the mass celebrated today in Zamboanga by Father Bossi’s fellow clergymen, a month to the day after the missionary from the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) was abducted.

The service took place in St Anthony Claret Church in Zamboanga where the local community had gathered, and where the daily vigil prayer that began right after the abduction is still going on non-stop.

PIME Superior General Fr Gian Battista Zanchi launched today’s initiative. In a letter to his fellow clergymen spread out in the five continents, he asked that an “intense and special” prayer be dedicated this day for Father Bossi’s release.

The faithful in the Philippines have called upon the Lord “to keep the priest safe, making him always feel the consolation of Your loving presence,” and especially “make him come back as soon as possible to his community, which misses its pastor, witness with his humble service of the divine love.”

Finally, the celebrant thanked God “for this moment of solidarity full of grace” and asked that as soon as possible “the kidnappers’ hearts be touched so that Father Giancarlo may be set free and come back to the place where the Lord called him to serve his flock.”

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