(April 28, 2010) Every week on Wednesday, the Pope holds a public meeting, called
the general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance
of seeing and hearing him speak. The Holy Father delivers a spiritual reflection
and greets various groups in their languages, including in English. The General
Audience of April 28th was held in the open in St. Peter’s Square. It
began with aides taking turns reading a scripture passage in various languages.
One of the aides greeted the Pope on behalf of the English-speaking pilgrims, and
presented the various groups to him. Pope Benedict then delivered a reflection in
English. Listen:
Dear
Brothers and Sisters, As the Year for Priests draws to its close, I would
like to devote today’s catechesis to the example of two remarkable priests of the
nineteenth century associated with the Italian city of Turin. Saint Leonard Murialdo,
the founder of the Congregation of Saint Joseph, devoted his life to the education
and pastoral care of disadvantaged young people. He saw his priestly vocation as
a gracious gift of God’s love, to be received with gratitude, joy and love. Imbued
with a powerful sense of the Lord’s mercy, he encouraged his confreres to unite contemplation
and apostolic zeal, and to confirm their preaching by the example of their lives.
Saint Joseph Cottolengo, who lived a generation before Saint Leonard, was another
outstanding apostle of charity. Early in his priesthood, after a dramatic encounter
with human suffering, he founded the “Little Home of Divine Providence”, involving
scores of people – priests, religious and laity alike – in a great charitable outreach
which continues today. May the example of these two great priests, outstanding for
their love of God and their devotion to Christ and the Church, continue to inspire
and sustain the many priests today who generously devote their lives to God and to
the service of our brothers and sisters in need. I offer a most cordial
welcome to the ecumenical delegations from the Lutheran Church of Norway and from
the Church of England. My warm greeting also goes to the group of Jewish leaders
visiting the Vatican with the Pave the Way Foundation. Upon all the English-speaking
visitors and pilgrims present at today’s Audience, especially those from England,
Scotland, Norway, Indonesia and the United States of America I invoke Almighty God’s
blessings of joy and peace!