Reverend Don Aldo Brunacci
Casa Papa Giovanni
Assisi, Italy, ID
Sponsor: Rep. Mike Ferguson, (R-NJ)
Date of Prayer: 03/24/2004
One Minute Speech Given in Recognition of the Guest Chaplain:
(Mr. FERGUSON asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. FERGUSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor our guest chaplain, Don Aldo Brunacci. A canon of the Cathedral of San Rufino in Assisi, Italy, Don Aldo Brunacci is being honored with the National Gaudete Medal. It is presented to a community leader who represents the life and teaching of St. Francis of Assisi.
Don Aldo embodies the spirit of service and joy that St. Francis taught. His life has exhibited the words engraved in the medal: ‘‘For service to God and humanity in the Franciscan spirit of compassion and sacrifice, faith and humility, hope and joy.''
In January 2003, he was presented with the Order for Merit of the Italian Republic, awarded by President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi of Italy, for his service in assisting hundreds of Jewish refugees during World War II. Currently, Don Aldo operates the Casa Papa Giovanni, a major retreat house in Assisi.
St. Bonaventure's College is here in Washington today to honor Don Aldo with this prestigious award. He is not only a proud example to his community and his family, but also to his country and his faith.
Opening Prayer Given by the Guest Chaplain:
Don Aldo Brunacci, Casa Papa Giovanni, Assisi, Italy, offered the following prayer:
‘‘May the Lord give you peace,'' St. Francis of Assisi.
Lord, merciful, almighty, Creator of heaven and Earth, we praise You for Your glory and thank You for Your love and protection. We are gathered here today in Your name. You have entrusted us with the gift of leadership of a great Nation. Give us the wisdom and the strength we need to fulfill our mission according to Your will. Help us never to betray our mission but to do Your will in respect and obedience to our own conscience. Give us the gift of discernment never to falter in our decision–making.
Lord God, You have treated our Nation with great generosity. Help us to treat others with kindness, generosity, and justice.
Give us peace of mind and heart, that peace which comes from You. Grant peace to our families, to our Nation, and to the whole world.
To learn more about Members who have sponsored a Guest Chaplain, please visit the Congressional Biographical Directory