Pope: The memory of Saint Gallen invites reflection on the urgency of evangelization
in Europe
(Vatican Radio) “On the vigil of the Synodal assembly on New Evangelization, the memory
of Saint Gallen and his work,” emphasized Pope Benedict XVI, will inspire people to
watch “with faith and hope the great ‘harvest’ that are the people of Europe, in the
wake of the Vatican II Ecumenical Council, and the teachings of the supreme Pontiffs
who have implemented them,” in a message sent on the occasion of the Plenary Assembly
for the Council of the Episcopal European Conference (CCEE), that is taking place
from September 27-30 at St. Gallen.In the message, the Pope calls for a “renewal of the magisterial lesson of Servant of God, Paul VI, in Evangelii nuntiandi, and Blessed John Paul II in Novo milennio ineunte” and “from the point of view of the upcoming Year of Faith.”
In the message sent to the President of the CCEE, Cardinal Péter Erdő, through the Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Pope also invited the Church in Europe “to reflect on the unending task of evangelization, and on its renewed urgency in the present time,” and to follow the experience of Saint Gallen who teaches that “the Christian message is sown and is rooted efficaciously where it is lived authentically and eloquently in community.”
The Plenary of the CCEE takes place at Sankt Gallen, seat of the CCEE Secretary since 1978, to commemorate the 1400th anniversary of the arrival of Saint Gallen in the canton of the same name. Saint Gallen was a disciple of Saint Colombanus who accompanied him from Ireland, together with other disciples, in his mission to evangelize the continent. After an illness forced him to remain near the Arbon district, he decided to dedicate himself to the hermitic live. His reputation for holiness attracted many to him, giving birth to a monastic community that would become, in turn, the driving force for more missions among many people.
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