Pope Francis receives Catholic Action members

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis received the participants in the 15^th national assembly of the Catholic Action group in Italy. The gathering opened on April 30^th, and focused on the theme: New people in Christ Jesus – co-responsible for the joy of living.

In remarks prepared for the occasion and delivered to the 7 thousand participants on Saturday in the Paul VI audience hall, the Holy Father focused on the Paschal significance of the theme. “It is the joy of the disciples in their encounter with the risen Christ,” he said, adding that this joy needs to be internalized, “in a style of evangelizing capable of really changing lives.”

The Holy Father went on to say, “In the current social and ecclesial context, you lay people of Catholic Action are called to renew your missionary [commitment],” calling on members to be open to the horizons that the Spirit will show to the Church, and to be the living sign and expression of a rejuvenated lay apostolate.

“In the first place,” he said, “parishes, especially those marked by fatigue and closures - and there are many of them - need your apostolic enthusiasm, your availability and your full creative service.” Founded in 1868, and present in parishes all throughout the peninsula, Catholic Action Italy is the country’s largest association of lay faithful. Listen: