Vatican City, 3 February 2014: “Every consecrated person is a gift for the People
of God on a journey. There is much need of their presence, that strengthens and renews
the commitment to spread the gospel, to Christian education, to charity for the most
needy, to contemplative prayer; the commitment to a human and spiritual formation
of young people, of families; the commitment to justice and peace in the human family.”
Pope Francis made these remarks during his Sunday Angelus message on February 2.
To
the crowds who braved the rain to gather in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis told
that Feb. 2 is the World Day for Consecrated Life, adding that “consecrated persons
are signs of God in diverse environments of life, they are leaven for the growth of
a more just and fraternal society, prophecy of sharing with the little and the poor.
As such understanding and experience, the consecrated life appears to us just as it
really is: a gift of God!”
Departing from his prepared text, Pope Francis exclaimed,
“What would happen if there were no sisters? Sisters in the hospitals, sisters in
the missions, sisters in the schools… one can’t imagine it! They are the leaven that
carry the people of God forward!” “The Church and the world have need of this testimony
of the love and mercy of God,” he stressed.
Those who live a religious life
in imitation of Christ’s own poverty, chastity, and obedience, offer “a special witness
to the gospel of the Kingdom of God.” Although all Christians are consecrated to God
in baptism and all are called to make “a generous gift of our lives, in the family,
at work, in service to the Church, (and) in works of mercy,” those in religious life
experience this consecration “in a particular way.”
“Totally consecrated to
God, they are totally given over to their brethren, to carry the light of Christ there
where the darkness is thickest and to spread his hope to hearts who are discouraged,”
emphasized the pontiff.
The Church will benefit from a greater knowledge and
presence of consecrated men and women, urged Pope Francis. The year 2015 will be dedicated
in a special way to religious life.
“It is necessary to value with gratitude
the experience of consecrated life and deepen the knowledge of different charisms
and spiritualities. We must pray, so that many young people respond ‘yes’ to the Lord
who calls them to consecrate themselves wholly to Him for disinterested service to
their brethren.”
The Pope then led the crowds in the Angelus prayer, followed
by greetings for different pilgrim groups present.
Pope Francis made special
mention of the “Day for Life” celebrated in Italy today, thanking everyone who works
to defend life, “to accept, respect and promote it, especially when it is fragile
and in need of attention and care, from the womb of a mother until its end on this
earth.”
The Pope also called for prayers and “concrete solidarity” with those
in Rome and Tuscany who have been affected by flooding recently due to heavy rains
in the regions.Source: VR Sedoc