Pope Benedict XVI in English - Weekly General Audience
Dear Brothers and Sisters, In our catechesis on medieval Christian culture, we
now consider the movement of ecclesial reform promoted by the two great Mendicant
Orders. In every age the saints are the true reformers of the Church’s life. In
the thirteenth century Saints Francis and Dominic inspired a vast evangelical renewal
which met three significant needs of the Church of that time. The Franciscans and
the Dominicans adopted a lifestyle of evangelical poverty which, unlike that of the
Cathars, was grounded in communion with the visible Church and a sound Christian understanding
of the goodness of creation. As zealous preachers, especially in urban environments,
the Friars provided religious instruction and spiritual guidance to the lay faithful,
many of whom became members of their “Third Orders”. Travelling freely from place
to place, they also contributed to the overall renewal of Church life and the spiritual
transformation of society. By their presence in the universities, the Friars worked
for the evangelization of culture, affirming the harmony of faith and reason, and
creating the great syntheses of scholastic theology. May their example of holiness
and evangelical lifestyle inspire our own witness to the Gospel and our efforts to
draw the world to Christ and his Church.
* * *I offer a warm welcome to the
English-speaking visitors present at today’s Audience, especially those from Denmark,
Australia and the United States of America. My particular greeting goes to the many
student groups present and to the faculty members. Upon all of you I invoke God’s
blessings of joy and peace!