VATICAN - The Pope urges men and women religious to testify “how important it is to make the Word of God the centre of everything, especially for those whom the Lord calls to more intimate discipleship”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The Word of God in the Life of the Church is the theme of the next ordinary session of the Synod of Bishops: I ask you dear brothers and sisters to offer your contribution to this ecclesial commitment, by testifying how important it is to make the Word of God the centre of everything, especially for those whom the Lord calls to more intimate discipleship”. The consecrated life, is in fact rooted in the Gospel, which, together with its Rule, it has continued to follow through the centuries and to it must continually return in order to remain alive and fecund bearing fruit for the salvation of souls". This was part of the address given by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI in St Peter's Basilica on 2 February at the end of Mass celebrated by Cardinal Franc Rodé, prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
In his address the Pope affirmed “ the beginnings of the different expressions of consecrated life has always been powerful inspired by the Gospel”, and he mentioned to experience of Saint Anthony Abbot and Saint Francis of Assisi. “The Holy Spirit - the Pope said - draws some persons to live the Gospel in a more radical manner and to express this in more generous discipleship. This gives rise to a religious family which with its very presence, becomes living ‘exegesis’ of the Word of God. Different successive charisma of consecrated life, Vatican II affirms, can be seen as an unfurling of Christ through the centuries, like a living Gospel in new forms”.
During the centuries “the ultimate and supreme rule of religious life” has been to “follow Christ as proposed by the Gospel without compromise” the Holy Father said, citing in this regard Saint Benedict, Saint Dominic, Saint Claire of Assisi, Saint Vincent Pallotti, Saint Luigi Orione. Therefore the mission of consecrated life “is to say that all Christians are called by the Word to remain under His Lordship”. Concluding his address to men and women religious the Pope said: “nourish your day with prayer, meditation and listening to the Word of God. You who are familiar with the ancient practice of lectio divina, help the faithful to valorise it in their daily life. And learn to bear witness to what the Word says, letting yourselves be shaped by the Word, like a seed in good ground, bearing abundant fruit. In this way you will be docile to the Spirit and you will grow in union with God; cultivate fraternal communion among yourselves and be ready for generous service of others, especially those in need ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 4/2/2008, righe 32, parole 477)