On October 28, 2025, the Diocese of Youngstown signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Congregation of the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, formally bringing two Rogationist priests—Father Bryan Tutas, RCJ, and Father Silvestre Robiñol, RCJ—into the Diocese as parochial vicars of Guardian Angels Parish in Canton.
The Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus are a religious order of priests founded in Italy by Saint Hannibal Mary Di Francia in 1897, with a specific devotion to fostering vocations for the Church through prayer and missionary work around the world. The scriptural basis of the Rogationists—which comes from the Latin word rogare, meaning “to pray”—is found in the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus commands: “Ask the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).
In service of that mission, Rogationists are known for working in education and formation, particularly among the poor and in seminaries. While Italy remains the home of the order, they also have a strong presence in South America and the Philippines, which is where Father Tutas and Father Robiñol call home. As of 2018, there were more than 370 Rogationist priests in their global community.
A Memorandum of Understanding is a formal agreement between two religious institutions that lays out the purpose, function and terms of a collaboration or partnership. The document was signed by Father Orville Cajigal, RCJ, the Provincial Superior of the Rogationists, and the “Local Ordinary”—in this case, Bishop David Bonnar—a term for someone who is given jurisdiction of a defined area of the Church. While not necessarily a legally binding document, an MOU is necessary according to Catholic Canon Law for the establishment of new missionary work. After the document was signed, Bishop Bonnar requested the two confreres to make their Oath of Fidelity and Profession of Faith, signaling their dedication to the people of the Diocese of Youngstown.
The effort to bring Rogationist priests to the Diocese of Youngstown is part of Bishop Bonnar’s pastoral plan to combat the shortage of priests in our diocese, with the intent to not only better serve the people of our diocese in the short term, but also to increase vocations to the priesthood and religious life over the long term.
Join us in expressing our gratitude to the Rogationists and to Father Tutas and Father Robiñol for their commitment to the Diocese of Youngstown!
