(09 Apr 08 - RV) Pope Benedict XVI held the last General Audience today ahead of
next weeks papal trip to the United States, urging a renewal of the Christian faith
in Europe.
After the
Easter break Pope Benedict XVI returned to his teachings on the lives of the Early
Fathers of the Church this Wednesday, as he greeted thousands of visitors and pilgrims
in an overcast St Peter’s square for the General Audience.
This week the Pope
began a catechesis on the Father of Western monasticism, St Benedict:
“Dear
Brothers and Sisters,….the most important source of information on his life is the
Second Book of the Dialogues of Pope Saint Gregory the Great. Writing in a time of
turmoil and moral decadence following the fall of the Roman Empire, Pope Gregory believed
that the life and Rule of Benedict could be a light leading the people of Europe out
of darkness”.
St Benedict was born in 480 in the region of Nursia. He came
to Rome to study but soon left the city so as to live in silence and to please God
alone. He spent some time in a religious community before becoming a hermit in a
cave.
“After struggling victoriously against the fundamental human temptations
of pride, sensuality and anger, he decided to found a monastery at Subiaco. Years
later he established a new community on a mountain, Montecassino, to symbolize the
public role of a monastery called to be a light shining for the good of the Church
and society. Indeed, when he died in 547 Saint Benedict left behind a thriving spiritual
family and a Rule, which invites us to search for God in prayer, obedience and humility
while attending faithfully to daily duties and to those in need.”
In 1964
Pope Paul VI proclaimed Saint Benedict Patron of Europe recognizing the role that
his teaching and his disciples had played in shaping Europe’s spiritual life and culture.
Pope Benedict concluded with a fervent wish that Europe’s new unity may be enlightened
and nourished by a religious and moral renewal drawn from its Christian roots
“May
your lives, after the example of Saint Benedict, be lived in humility, prayer, obedience
to God and faithful service to your neighbour. May the Lord bless you and your families!”