VATICAN: POPE: MESSAGE FOR END OF SPIRITUAL EXERCISES


VATICAN.VA REPORT: CONCLUSION OF THE SPIRITUAL EXERCISES OF THE ROMAN CURIA

At 9 am today, Solemnity of Saint Joseph, in the Chapel Redemptoris Mater of the Vatican Apostolic Palace, with the singing of Lauds and meditation final, ended the Spiritual Exercises in the presence of Pope Benedict XVI.
The meditations were laid this year by Father François-Marie Léthel the Order of Discalced Carmelites, prelate secretary of the Pontifical Academy of Theology and professor at the Pontifical Theological Faculty Teresianum , and had as its theme: The light of Christ in the heart of Church - John Paul II's theology of the saints .
At the conclusion of the exercises, the Pope addressed some words to those present. (IMAGE SOURCE: RADIO VATICANA)
Soon after, in the Sala Clementina, the members of the Roman Curia were presented to Pope Benedict XVI's wishes for his feast day. The address was a tribute to the Pope by Cardinal Angelo Sodano, dean of the College of Cardinals. The Holy Father concluded his meeting with his blessing.
We publish the following words that the Pope has addressed those present at the conclusion of the Spiritual Exercises in the Chapel Redemptoris Mater :

  • WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER

    Dear Brothers,
    Léthel dear Father,

    the end of this process of reflection, meditation, prayer in the company of Saints Friends of Pope John Paul II, I would say with all my heart: Thank you, Father Léthel, for your safe driving, for the spiritual wealth that has given. Saints: She gave them to see how the stars in the firmament of history and, with your enthusiasm and your joy, you put us in the circle of these saints and showed us that just the Saints 'small' by Saints "large". We showed that scientia fidei and the scientia amoris go together and complement each other, the reason that great and love go together, even the great love that sees more than one reason.

    Providence has willed that these exercises will conclude with the Feast of St. Joseph, my personal patron saint and Patron of the Holy Church, a humble saint, a humble worker, who was made worthy to be Guardian of the Redeemer.

    St. Joseph St. Matthew characterized with one word: "He was a right" and " dikaios "from" dike , "and in view of the Old Testament, as we find, for example, Psalm 1," right "is the man who is immersed in the Word of God, who lives in the Word of God, living the law not as a "yoke" but as "joy", he lives - we might say - the law as "Gospel." San Jose was right, was immersed in the Word of God written, transmitted in the wisdom of his people, and in doing so they had prepared and called to know the Incarnate Word - the Word came to us as a man - and destined to preserve, to protect this Incarnate Word, and this is his mission to always keep the Holy Church and Our Lord.

    We entrust to his care at this time, please help us in our humble service. Let us go forward with courage under this protection. We are grateful for the humble Saints, pray to the Lord that makes us even in our humble service, and so the saints in the company of saints.

    Once again, thank you, P. Léthel, for your inspiration. Thanks!

    http://press.catholica.va/news_services/bulletin/news/27059.php?index=27059&po_date=19.03.2011&lang=en

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