“For Him I lived for Him I die” – with these words on August 12, 1925, Fr. Leo Dehon, the founder of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, ended his earthly pilgrimage.  In this short summary he enclosed his passion for God and His love that was shown to the humankind through the open Heart of Jesus.  His desire was to establish the “Reign of God in the souls and society.”

Each year, the anniversary of his death is a special event celebrated by the whole congregation and different communities all over the world. Very often it is preceded by a special novena prayer commemorating  the life and works of our Founder, which gives us an opportunity to reflect on our charism and mission in the Church and society. The very day of his death anniversary is a day of thanksgiving for the gift of his life very much celebrated in all formation communities.

Like in previous years, the community in Cagayan de Oro, held a special Thanksgiving Mass and dinner to commemorate this anniversary. The concelebrated Mass was presided by Fr. Andrew Sudol, the formator of Postulacy Program and was attended by SCJ confreres, seminarians and friends of the congregation.