“We must give ourselves much exercise both in fraternal correction, which requires
a great deal of humility and simplicity of heart, and in prayer, so that what we offer
up to God in Heaven might be the prayer of a community truly united in Christ.”
These
were some of the words Pope Benedict XVI spoke to the faithful gathered in the courtyard
of the Papal Summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, for the Sunday Angelus. Reflecting
on the Sunday Gospel readings, which focus on fraternal charity in the life of the
community, the Holy Father recalled how the brotherly love also involves a "sense
of mutual responsibility," which includes calling a brother who has fallen into sin
back to the right path - first personally and then, gradually, at the community level.
Pope Benedict went on to note that, in the face of the stubbornness of a brother
or sister, this can lead even to separation from the Church community. “All this,”
he said, “indicates that there is a sharing of responsibility in the way of Christian
life: all of us, aware of our limitations and defects, are called to welcome fraternal
correction and to help others with this particular service.” After recalling the importance
of communal prayer, the Pope turned to his upcoming visit to the Adriatic port city
of Ancona in central Italy, where the XXV National Eucharistic Congress is already
underway on the theme: "Lord, to whom shall we go? - The Eucharist in daily life.
Pope Benedict offered greetings and blessing to all the participants, calling the
Congress, “[an] event of grace, which adores and praises Christ present in the Blessed
Sacrament of the Eucharist, source of life and hope for every man and for the whole
world.”
After the traditional noonday prayer of Marian devotion, Pope Benedict
greeted pilgrims in many languages, including English, during which he offered a special
salute to the participants in the 8th international conference of Matercare International
- an organization of Catholic health professionals dedicated to the care of mothers
and babies, which held its gathering this past week in Rome. "I am pleased to welcome
the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for this Angelus prayer. I greet
the doctors gathered for the Matercare International Conference on the Dignity of
Mothers and Obstetricians, as well as students present from the University of Mary,
Rome Campus. Today’s Gospel passage reminds us that God is present when the Church
gathers to worship in his name. May we always draw grace and strength from our prayerful
encounters with God in communion with our brothers and sisters in the faith. May
God bless all of you!" Listen