The Padre Pablo Page |
A Priest from the Heart This book tells the story of a young man's passionate love for Jesus and His priesthood. Fr. Milton Paul Rosera (1931-1961), a Wisconsin farm boy, became a missionary and died in the foothills of the Chilean Andes 40 years ago. In an extraordinary way, he is still remembered today by the people who loved him. His life's story shows him as an inspiring example for young men --needed especially at this time. He is also an inspiration for young people who are thinking and praying about a vocation to the priesthood and religious life. ******** 96 pages, full color cover 58 photos $9.95 + $3 shipping + handling (add .25 ea. for add'l books) Discount 10% for 10 or more Discount 20'/o for 25 or more LifeCom Box 1832 St. Cloud, MN 56302 Or order@lifemeaning.com |
The Cover Art comes from a nearly life-size painting of Padre Pablo, done by his sister, the author of the book. A replica of this painting is encased in glass in the rectory of the Church in Curepto, Chile for the people he loved. |
Edicion Espanol This edition in Chilean Spanish is available on the same cost basis as the English (above). The translation was made by people who have lived in the region near the scenes of Padre Pablo's brief missionary life. Los Traductores: Familias Borquez-Cortes (Francisco y Marcela) y Rivas-Lopez (Luis y Claudia) |
Outside my little village, on a turn in the road, the traitor, Death, stepped out to snatch from this world a capable, honorable man, a son of God on the earth, courageous--daring. All Curepto weeps, and says, "Eternal rest to you Padre Pablo, priest of kindness who salutes the whole world with respect and equality. You taught Curepto manliness and friendship. "Both youth and aged pray for you though they may never have prayed before. For you, they pray with fervor as a fellow Curepto man." Therefore, I plead with all of you to give homage to the "pastor" of this place, priest and most honored fellow man. The children will remember how he had them play, and on Sunday afternoons led them to pray. Now all of us are weeping, but God and the Blessed Virgin, wait with joy to receive him. With all love I write this little remembrance of Padre Pablo. |
Something about the young missionary touched people in their hearts: men, women, children, believers and unbelievers alike. This "something" eludes description, but it was a kind of luminous innocence that seemed unexpected in a tall, strong, and vigorous young man, once an all-American boy.... From the book, A Priest from the Heart |
Chapter 1 The Whole Town Cried When Padre Pablo died, the whole town cried. Men, women, and children felt their hearts breaking. The parish custodian cried for three days, and finally was taken to the hospital. When he saw in a dream the young Padre coming toward him srniling from heaven, his weeping ceased. Padre Pablo, a Wisconsin farm boy who became a Maryknoll missionary, served the parish in Curepto, Chile for one year and ten months. This was his first assignment as a priest. He was 30 years old. On the morning of his sudden, accidental death, he loaned a horse to a young man named Enrique Munoz Gonzalez. Enrique returned to the parish that night to find the Padre's body laid out in the Church. That same night he wrote a poem expressing his grief. My country was not yours, but it was your second one; Curepto now gives your pure soul a grave. I begin my little story like someone insane, difficult even to guess Like this dark night itself. The night was hot as I came riding along the meadow. I was returning from a mission accomplished when I heard the news that filled me with something bitter. |
Excerpt from Chapter 1 is given below. |
"When I was in first theology at Maryknoll, Milt was a deacon, and rny hero, too. I often used to watch him at work, at prayer, at recreation, and I sought to irnitate him. He was not ordinary, he was extraordinary, and perhaps that is why God wanted him after such a short time." Fr. Dan Jansen, M.M., Maryknoll, New York "As classmates who shared many interests in the seminary, we had a close bond of friendship between us. He is one of the few people I have known about whom I say without fear of error that he never spoke an unkind word about anyone. He was an exceptional man, strong yet gentle, a firm character and yet with a childlike innocence. I only hope I have absorbed just a small portion of his character." Fr. Dennis Hanley, M.M., Taiwan "Whenever there was volunteer labor to be done at Maryknoll, Milt was the first in line to offer his services. It is, I think, the lack of generosity in our lives, such as he had to an eminent degree, that keeps us from advancing in perfection and the spiritual life." Fr. Paul O'Brien, M.M., Bolivia |
