PRIESTS AS A MISSIONARY priest Father Joseph Bragotti, M.C.C.J. has frequently been inspired by the faith of people he has met. Here he stands with Wai Pui Man, his “adopted grandma,” who spent 10 years in prison for being a Christian during Mao’s regime in China.
5 Father Joseph Bragotti, M.C .C . J. has b e e n a Co m boni missionary priest for 55 years and has ministered in Africa, Europe, and Central America in pastoral work and publishing.
COURTESY OF COMBONI MISSIONS
reasons I love being a missionary priest by Father Joseph Bragotti, M.C.C.J.
From the reward of celebrating the Eucharist in remote areas to the thrill of starting projects no one thought possible, missionary priesthood has been the adventure of a lifetime for this priest.
H
APPINESS IS BEING a missionary and going to Africa. I was sure of it. My motivation? I wanted to see lions! I was 10 years old then, a survivor of World War II in my native Italy. I was ready for adventure, and adventure had come to our school in the guise of a Comboni missionary, fresh from Sudan. During his visit he fascinated us with stories and colorful postcards. That did it: I was hooked on mission. Seventy years later, 55 years into my priesthood, I am now “recycled.” We missionary priests don’t really retire, nor do we fade away easily. I look back on my life as a pastoral priest, youth chaplain, and journalist, and I see myself as a happy, contented, adventurous missionary. I loved it all and I still do. Here are five
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