Pope Benedict Celebrates St Benedict of Nursia

(12 Jul 10 – RV) On Sunday Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his namesake, St Benedict of Nursia, as the “great patron” of his pontificate, saying the founder of Western monasticism and renewer of Western civilization was in his person the very image of incarnate teaching, who in no way could every teach differently from how he lived.

July 11^th is the day on which the Church marks the great saint’s liturgical memory.

The Holy Father made his remarks at the traditional Angelus prayer with the faithful gathered in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo, where the Pope is spending the Summer months.

The Gospel reading this Sunday was the parable of the good Samaritan, and Pope Benedict remarked on the passage, saying the example of the Samaritan must inspire us to transform our thinking according to the logic of Christ, which is the logic of love: God is love, and to give Him worship means to serve one’s brethren with generous and sincere love.

“The programme of the Christian,” said Pope Benedict, is “a heart that sees” where there is need of love, and acts accordingly.

After the prayer of Marian devotion, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in many languages, including English…

I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for this Angelus prayer.  Today’s Liturgy reminds us that to be Christians means to be faithful to the words and example of Jesus, especially by living a life of love of God and neighbour.  May the Lord give us grace and courage so that we may always respond generously, as good Samaritans, to the needs of all who suffer, near and far.  I wish you all a pleasant stay in Castel Gandolfo and Rome and a blessed Sunday!