Papal homage for Founder of the Community of St. John

(29 Aug.2006):-.

Pope Benedict XVI has paid tribute to Father Marie-Dominique Philippe, the founder of the Community of St. John, who died on August 26 at the age of 93. The tribute was expressed in a telegram sent in the Pope’s name by Cardinal Angelo Sodano – Vatican Secretary of State to Father Jean-Pierre Marie, the current prior-general of the Community. The Pope praised the French Dominican, whose life was entirely given to the Lord and to his brothers. The Papal telegram noted that he had guided and formed many people in the school of Christ, in the spirit of the beloved disciple. Father Philippe had founded the Community of St. John in 1975, and remained at its head until 2001, after a stroke deprived him of speech. The group, which includes male and female religious and lay oblates, now has about 800 members throughout the world. Fr. Philippe
would have completed 94 years on Sept. 8