Father Peppe Diana, parish priest of Casal di Principe, Italy, was murdered by the mafia 25 years ago. Father Raffaele, who is in charge of chaplains in Italian prisons, organizes a vigil for him in prisons.
On March 19, the 25th anniversary of the death of Father Peppe Diana, priest of Casal di Principe, Italy by the mafia, Father Raffaele, who was in charge of chaplains in Italian prisons, was a friend of his. Father Peppe Diana during the seminary took the initiative to invite all to pray for Father Peppe in all prisons. Asked why he took this initiative, he said because according to him, “Father Peppe's face can help prisoners recognize crimes and mistakes made, as well as recognize the need for return”.
Father Raffaele said that reflecting on Father Peppe's martyrdom becomes a message, helping to awaken people's consciences and thereby giving people the courage to speak out loudly, affirming that no one is the master of one's life. no one can take and trample another's life. But at the same time, it is also a day of prayer, asking God for the grace to convert and change our lives.
Father Raffaele has written an invitation to all prison chaplains, with the content calling for a day of memory, reflection and prayer, dedicated to Father Peppe Diana, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his death. kill. Father Peppe was killed on March 19, 1994 at the hands of the mafia, while he was preparing to celebrate Mass at the parish in Casal di Principe.
The initiative of this invitation began with Father Raffaele's personal relationship with Father Peppe. The two spent time together at Aversa seminary. Father Raffaele also attended the meeting “Witness to Truth and Justice”, held on Monday, March 18, at the prison in Naples.
An active and prayerful seminarian
Father Raffaele recalled: “We spent our years at the seminary together. I have fond memories of Father Peppe. Since he was a seminarian, Peppe has been a cheerful, active, straightforward young man. During his time at the seminary, although it was a time dedicated to studying, but Peppe was constantly interested in society, in the issues happening around. Brother Peppe is a seminarian with a wonderful prayer life; people can realize this in Eucharistic adoration, opportunities to share spiritual life experiences, he always takes care of spiritual life carefully.
All for the Church
After his time at the seminary, in 1992 Brother Peppe was ordained a priest. From here the new priest devotes all the enthusiasm of his youth to the service of the Church. Father Peppe is a parish priest who welcomes the poor and immigrants. He actively cares for the weak, raises awareness of the community and especially serves, educates young people, welcomes the poor with love following the example of Jesus. I always go out looking for the abandoned, those living in precarious conditions, to bring them concrete help.
Committed to anti-mafia
As a priest in Casal di Principe, he knew he had to deal with the spread of the mafia in this land, a social evil that has devastating consequences for people's lives. During the 90s in Casal di Principe, there were feuds and threats to life, people lived in fear. For Father Peppe, being a pastor against the mafia is a commitment that cannot be ignored. A shepherd cannot leave his flock among wolves. And then a famous document “For the love of my people, I will not be silent” was born as a deterrent to violence.
On the morning of March 19, 1994, the tragic news of his father's death spread. It was a real shock to everyone.
A role model for our times
Father Raffaele shared: “Father Peppe's example can help those who are serving prison sentences, those who have committed crimes or committed violence, ruined the lives of others, realize their mistakes. Talking about the life of Father Peppe, a priest, a believer, always generous to others through the gift of himself; moreover he is known as a man of truth, a martyr; all a way to reflect on the evil done, expose poverty and invite people to change their hearts. In prison we don't go there to tell fairy tales, but we must have the strength and courage to present brave and beautiful examples like Father Peppe."
Father Raffaele concludes: “Father Peppe is an example for us, an example of giving ourselves to others for the Gospel, an example of helping others to grow, even for those who have committed serious sins. ".