A beautiful June 24, 1955 prayer

Memory of the fiftieth anniversary of the Priesthood of Father Dolindo Ruotolo

My dear friend Gabriella recently made an incredible discovery - an original holy card dated June 24, 1955 that was printed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Don Dolindo's ordination as a priest. Gabriella shared pictures of both the front and back of this special keepsake with me.

As I examined the holy card, I was immediately struck by the heartfelt prayer written on the back. Don Dolindo's words convey a profound sense of gratitude and devotion that had sustained him over the course of his long priestly ministry. In his prayer, he expresses deep appreciation for the "divine mercies" that had carried him through even his "poor and troubled life."

Don Dolindo humbly acknowledges Jesus as the source of his priestly "dignity," thanking the Lord for making his "painful journey" fruitful in bringing "many graces for the glory of God and the good of souls." He also turns to the Blessed Virgin Mary, his "Mother," asking her to help him remain "faithful to Jesus and the Church until death," and to one day "bring me to Paradise."

The front of the holy card features the evocative Latin text "VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS" - "Come, Holy Spirit" - a fitting invocation given Don Dolindo's lifelong devotion and service as a priest. This special memento provides a glimpse into the heart and spirituality of this faithful servant of God as he celebrated 50 years of priestly ordination.

As of the year 2024, it would be the 119th anniversary of Don Dolindo's priestly ordination, 69 years after the 50th anniversary celebrated on the holy card from 1955:

                                           COME, HOLY SPIRIT

Fifty years of Priesthood, fifty years of divine mercies in my poor and troubled life!

Thank you, Jesus, for so much dignity, thank you for my painful journey, which You made fruitful of so many graces for the glory of God and the good of souls.

All of you who surround me today, thank Jesus for me.

Mary, my Mother, I am a poor nothing, make me faithful to Jesus and the Church until death, cover me with your mantle. Bring me one day to Paradise.

JUNE 24, 1955 MEMORY of the fiftieth anniversary of the Priesthood of Father Dolindo Ruotolo

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If you would like to read more about Don Dolindo’s spirituality, check out this book: “Don Dolindo’s Spiritual Guidance”.

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