The Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus (; ; abbreviated RCJ) is a religious congregation of priests and brothers founded by
St. Hannibal Mary Di Francia (1851–1927) on May 16, 1897. The word ''rogationist'' comes from the Latin ''rogate'' which means "pray".
The spirituality of the congregation is centered on the words of
Jesus Christ
Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...
in the Gospels: "The harvest is rich but the workers are few. Pray, therefore, to the Lord of the harvest that He may send workers into His harvest" (Matthew 9:37–38; Luke 10:2).
["About us", Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, Philippines]
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Hence, they carry out the mission of:
:praying for vocations to the priestly and consecrated life in the Church and propagating this prayer worldwide.
:caring and promoting the human and spiritual welfare of orphans, needy children and the poor.[
]
Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus
The Congregation of the Rogationists originated in Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
and spread to several other countries in Europe
Europe is a continent located entirely in the Northern Hemisphere and mostly in the Eastern Hemisphere. It is bordered by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the south, and Asia to the east ...
, United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, Mexico, Paraguay, Colombia, Brazil
Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...
, Argentina
Argentina, officially the Argentine Republic, is a country in the southern half of South America. It covers an area of , making it the List of South American countries by area, second-largest country in South America after Brazil, the fourt ...
, Rwanda
Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge. Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by ...
, India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
and the Philippines
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an Archipelagic state, archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of List of islands of the Philippines, 7,641 islands, with a tot ...
, among others. In the United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
the Rogationists established their first community in 1967 assuming parish work in Mendota, California. At present, there are three Rogationist communities in California
California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
. Their houses are in Sanger, Van Nuys and in North Hollywood.
Vocation and apostolate
As an expression of their charism, the Rogationists dedicate their lives in the apostolate in favor of the poor. In various places throughout the world, the Congregation has established orphanages, health and nutrition centers, schools for the deaf and dumb, technical-vocational schools, scholarship programs for poor children, centers for professional management, centers for relief and assistance, parishes and oratories
::"I feel a bond of holy friendship with everyone on earth either of my religion or another, rich or poor, employer or worker, humble and needy people or high aristocracy
Aristocracy (; ) is a form of government that places power in the hands of a small, privileged ruling class, the aristocracy (class), aristocrats.
Across Europe, the aristocracy exercised immense Economy, economic, Politics, political, and soc ...
. I have seen a brother and my Lord in everyone of them. The most beautiful things I have desired for me in this life and the next, I have desired equally for all."
::-St. Hannibal Di Francia
Fr. Hannibal House (social service center)
Fr. Hannibal House is a non-profit Catholic organization provides emergency help to people in need, regardless of race, religion or national origin. It provides the people of Sanger and the neighboring communities emergency assistance such as: food, clothing, medicine, limited rent and utilities assistance, overnight lodging, gasoline etc.
Fr. Hannibal House operates under the guidelines established by the Board of Directors.
The support for Fr. Hannibal House comes from the community organizations and churches, St. Mary's Parish of Sanger, the City of Sanger, United Way, County of Fresno, the Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially created under President Jimmy Carter by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by two Exec ...
(FEMA), local merchants, St. Vincent de Paul
Vincent de Paul, Congregation of the Mission, CM (24 April 1581 – 27 September 1660), commonly known as Saint Vincent de Paul, was an Occitans, Occitan French Priesthood in the Catholic Church, Catholic priest who dedicated himself to serving ...
Society of Sanger, the Rogationist Charities and from various donors and benefactors
See also
* St. Elizabeth Church and School (Van Nuys)
References
External links
Rogationist of the Heart of Jesus Italian
{{Catholic religious institutes, state=collapsed
1897 establishments in Italy
Catholic orders and societies