Pope Benedict XVI’s Message to the General Chapter of the Rogationists

(July 08, 2010) Pope Benedict XVI called on the Delegates of the Rogationist Congregation to respond to the "great challenge of inculturation" seeking ways and language understandable to proclaim the Gospel to the people of our time. The Pope communicated this in his message as their Eleventh Chapter opened Monday, July 5, at the spiritual centre of Rogate Morley, Rome. The Holy Father on Wednesday blessed an 18-foot marble statue of the saint Annibale Maria di Francia, the founder of the Rogationist Fathers, the Daughters of Divine Zeal, and the Anthonian Orphanages and dedicated the statue to praying for vocations as it is placed in one of the exterior niches of St. Peter's Basilica. In his message the Pontiff asked them in particular, to spread more and more the spirit of prayer and concern for all vocations in the Church, to be diligent workers for the coming of the Kingdom of God, by devoting all energies to evangelization and human promotion. He reminded them of the charism of their founder that has helped them to share their life with those who thirst for hope, possess a genuine passion for education especially for young people, to be filled with a generous zeal for pastoral work among the people, especially for those who suffer spiritually and physically. As priests they are the Pastors through whom Christ loves mankind and through their ministry and through their person, the Lord reaches people everywhere. Pope Benedict then told them that their congregation has a long history of being courageous witnesses of Christ and the Gospel. They have a mission and this mission requires constant personal and communal conversion. Only hearts totally open to the action of Grace are able to interpret the signs of the times and take the calls of humanity in need of hope and peace, said the Holy Father.