The poor, even the poor in health, are a richness for the Church: Pope
Vatican City, 09 Nov 2013: The poor, even the poor in health, are a richness for the
Church”. And the men and women who work or volunteer with them “have received the
gift and the obligation to gather this richness, to help promote it, not only in the
Church itself but in all of society.”
Pope Francis made these comments on Saturday
in the Paul VI Hall during an audience attended by people with sickness or disability
and some members of UNITALSI, an Italian association that travels with the sick and
disabled on pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, and to other international Marian sanctuaries.
The association is marking 110 years of its foundation. Addressing them the Pope said
that ‘your work is not mere welfare or philanthropy, but genuine proclamation of the
Gospel of charity, it is the ministry of consolation.’
The Pope then recalled
the many men and women throughout Italy, who are volunteers of UNITALSI. They, out
of love for Christ and following the example of the Good Samaritan, welcome the sick
and offer words of comfort. He told them not to be discouraged by the difficulties
and fatigue, but continue to donate time, smile and love to the brothers and sisters
in need. Pope Francis told them that every sick person might see in their face the
face of Jesus, and that they would recognize in the sick the suffering Christ.
The
Pope commented on how the current “social and cultural context is more inclined to
hide physical fragility, to consider it only as a problem that demands resignation
and piety or sometimes the rejection of people.”
But UNITALSI, said Pope
Francis, is called to be a prophetic sign and “to go counter to this worldly logic,
helping the suffering to be protagonists in society, in the Church and in the association
itself”.
Pope Francis said that to promote the actual insertion of the sick
in the Christian community and to inspire in them a strong sense of belonging, what
is required is inclusive ministry in parishes and associations. It is really enhance
the presence and testimony of the frail and suffering, not only as recipients of evangelization,
but as active subjects of the same apostolic action, added the Pontiff.
Pope
Francis exhorted the sick and the disabled not to consider themselves as only object
of solidarity and charity, but to feel fully included in the life and mission of the
Church. You have your own place, a specific role in the parish and in every sector
of the Church. Do not be ashamed to be a precious treasure of the Church! the Pope
reminded them.
He urged them to continue despite difficulties and fatigue,
and to imitate Mary’s maternal care. In following Mary, she will help each person
to be a reflection of the merciful God, he said. “Every sick and fragile person can
see in your face the face of Jesus; and you, too, can recognize Christ in the person
who suffers,” added Pope Francis. Source: VR Sedoc