Pope Benedict XVI’s Message to the Superior General of the Clerics Regular Somaschi,

(July 29, 2011) The guidance of youth and the human and Christian education, which marks the charism of Somascan Fathers, continue to be their commitment to the Church in every time and place, said Pope Benedict XVI. It is necessary for the growth of the younger generation which is overwhelmed not only with cultural notions and techniques, but above all by love, that conquers individualism and selfishness, forming them to be mindful of the needs of every brother and sister. The Pope was addressing the Somascan Fathers on the occasion of the fifth centenary jubilee year held by the Order of the miraculous release from prison of their founder St. Jerome Emiliani, the universal patron of orphans and abandoned youth. The Somascan Fathers are a charitable religious congregation of priests and brothers, founded in Italy in the 16th century by Saint Jerome Emiliani and named after the mother-house at Somasca. The celebrations are to open in Venice on September 25, with Mass in the Basilica of San Marco, and continue throughout the year. The Pontiff recounted how St Jerome was freed from prison through the intercession of the Mother of God and then delivered by her at the altar of the Virgin in the year 1511. In fact, it represented a renewal of the whole personality of Jerome. He was freed by divine intervention, from the bonds of selfishness, pride, and personal attachments to direct himself to the love of God and serve the young orphaned, sick and abandoned people. From his family-oriented events, Jerome came up with the idea that youth, especially disadvantaged ones could be helped with love. Under the shining example of St. Jerome Emiliani, the Pope called on them to continue caring for youth to overcome every form of poverty moral, physical, existential, and above all the poverty of love, which is the root of all human problems.