2012-02-24 14:44:43

Pope receives Roman charitable delegation


The Circolo San Pietro – in English, the “St Peter Circle” – was founded in Rome in 1869. It was born of the enthusiasm of young men from the upper class and from the families of Roman nobility who desired to witness to the world their fidelity to the Pope and to defend him against anticlerical attacks during a difficult moment in the history of the papacy.

The Circle offered comfort and aid to the poor of the city of Rome through many periods of great difficuly, including the two world wars. Conducted through various committees, the activities of the Circle now reach all areas of human poverty and seek to respond to many persons in need – though one of its most important missions continues to be that of feeding the hungry: today the Circle serves 50,000 meals every year in three kitchens located in different areas of the city.

The Popes have continued to rely on the Circle for the achievement of important services: in the occasion of the Jubilee Year of 2000, Blessed John Paul II honored the Circle by making it responsible for distributing 500 free meals every day at the four patriarchal basilicas in Rome to poor pilgrims who travelled to Rome for the Holy Year.

In his remarks to the delegation of Circle members he received on Friday in the Apostolic Palace, Pope Benedict XVI thanked them for their service, and especially for their traditional gift in support of the Pope’s own charitable initiatives. He especially praised the powerful faith that animates the Circle’s service. “Faith, charity and witness,” he said, “continue to guide your apostolate.”

“Dear friends,” said Pope Benedict, “today as yesterday, gospel witness through acts of charity touches the hearts of men in a particular way: the New Evangelization, especially in a cosmopolitan city like Rome, requires great openness of spirit and wise willingness to help all those in need.”

It was in this specific connection that the Holy Father praised the most recent activity undertaken by the Circle: a hospice centre for the terminally ill, which opened in 1998 at the Rome’s Sacred Heart clinic, where patients are welcomed into a peaceful and familial atmosphere at a most delicate and difficult time in their lives, and where they are lovingly assisted by a group of specially-trained volunteers.

With these and many other activities the Circolo San Pietro sodality continues its 138-year history of service. Listen RealAudioMP3







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