Our Founder: Msgr. João Scognamiglio Clá Dias [Part 11]

Cont'd. from: Our Founder: Msgr. João Scognamiglio Clá Dias [Part 1]

Inspired by a desire for greater dedication to Our Lord and his brethren, Msgr. João Clá prepared for the priestly ministry along with some of his companions. Because of the role which the Third Order of Carmel played in the founding of the Heralds of the Gospel, it was a Carmelite prelate, the Most Rev. Lucio Angelo Renna, then Bishop of Avezzano, Italy, who welcomed the first priests of this Association. They – including Msgr. João Clá – were ordained on June 15, 2005, in the same Carmelite Basilica where almost 50 years previously he had begun his activities at the service of the Church and his fellow Christians. The ceremony was honoured with the presence of Cardinal Claudio Hummes. Seven bishops concelebrated the Eucharist along with seventy priests.

These first priests of the Heralds of the Gospel constituted the Priestly Society of Apostolic Life Virgo Flos Carmeli, which was canonically erected by the Bishop of Avezzano, the Most Rev. Lucio Renna. Msgr. João Clá Dias is the founder and present Superior General of Virgo Flos Carmeli.

Msgr. João Clá Dias has also formed approximately 50 choirs and symphonic bands in the various countries in which the Heralds of the Gospel are active. He is the conductor of the International Choir and Orchestra of the Heralds of the Gospel, which has toured several countries of Europe and the Americas.

He has written widely distributed works (some surpassing one millions copies), published in Portuguese, Spanish, English, Italian, French, Polish and Albanian: “Fatima, Dawn of the Third Millennium,” “The Rosary, the Prayer of Peace,” Sacred Heart of Jesus, Treasure of Goodness and Love,” “The Miraculous Medal, its History and the Celestial Promises,” “Via Sacra,” “Jacinta and Francisco, the Chosen Ones of Mary,” “Daily Prayers,” “The Mother of Good Counsel of Genazzano,” “Dona Lucilia” and “Commentaries on the Little Office of the Immaculate Conception”.

Msgr. João Clá is a member of the International Society of Thomas Aquinas, the Marian Academy of Aparecida and the Pontifical Academy of the Immaculate Conception. He has been honoured in various countries for his cultural and academic achievements, receiving the Medal of Sciences from Mexico and the title of Doctor Honoris Causa, from the Italo-Brazilian University of São Paulo.

He is the founder of and regular contributor to the monthly magazine Heralds of the Gospel, published in English, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian, with a total circulation of nearly one million. Since 2002, he has written a commentary on the Gospel for each issue. He is also a regular contributor to the academic publication “Lumen Veritatis,” published by the University of the Heralds of the Gospel, which was inaugurated in October 2007, due mainly to his initiative.

In an effort to enhance benevolent apostolic works, he created the charitable “Mercy” foundation, within the Heralds of the Gospel Association in Brazil. It gathers donations through mass mailings.

Under his impetus and guidance the Heralds of the Gospel International College launched its academic mission in 2005.

The construction of Our Lady of the Rosary Church, at the Seminary of the Heralds of the Gospel, is his most recent achievement. The Monastery of Mount Carmel, of the Society Regina Virginum was recently completed, due, once again, to his untiring efforts.

On the 15 of August 2009, the Holy Father Benedict XVI, in recognition of all the work carried out by Msgr. João Clá at the service of the Church, granted him the “Pro Eclesia et Pontifice” Medal, one of the highest honours awarded by the Holy Father to those who distinguish themselves by their endeavours on behalf of the Church and the Roman Pontiff. The medal was delivered to Msgr. João Clá by Cardinal Franc Rodé, Prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life.