VATICAN - Pope tells members of the Circle of St. Peter that “charitable service becomes a privileged method of evangelization, in the light of Jesus' own teaching”

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “We know that the authenticity of our faithfulness to the Gospel may also be measured in terms of the real attention and concern we strive to show towards others, especially the weakest and the marginalized. Thus charitable service, which can take many forms, becomes a privileged method of evangelization, in the light of Jesus' own teaching which tells us that whatever we do to our brothers – especially those who are the 'least' and neglected – we do it to Him.” This is what the Holy Father Benedict XVI mentioned in his address on April 3 to an audience of members of the Circle of Saint Peter.
“In order for our service to be more than mere philanthropy, for it to be useful and praiseworthy, we must nurture it with constant prayer and trust in God. We need to adapt our gaze to that of Christ, our heart to His Heart. In this manner, the loving support offered to others will become a participation and conscientious sharing in their hopes and sufferings, making visible – we could almost say tangible – God's infinite mercy towards each human person and our faith in Him. Jesus, His Only Son, in dying on the Cross has revealed to us the merciful love of the Father, which is a font of true fraternity among all men, and He has showed us the only possible way for becoming credible witnesses of this Love.”
In his address, the Pontiff once again expressed his appreciation for the services of the Circle of Saint Peter to the Pope and for the contribution of the Christians in Rome, especially in reaching out to their poor and needy brethren. He also expressed his hope that the Easter Triduum could be for each member of the Circle “an occasion to strengthen and purify your faith; to open yourselves to the contemplation of the Cross which is the mystery of infinite love, to gather strength in order to make your life a gift of dedication to your brethren...From the Cross spring the joy and peace of heart which make us witnesses of hope, of which there is such need in these times of widespread economic crisis. And the various charitable initiatives of your praiseworthy Circle of Saint Peter, as well as your own lives, will be eloquent signs of this hope if you let yourselves be guided by the Spirit of Christ.”
Lastly, the Pope thanked the Circle of Saint Peter for the collection from the parishes of Rome: “Thank you for this sign of ecclesial communion and concrete participation in the economic efforts that the Holy See makes in trying to meet the growing needs of the Church, especially in the poorest countries of the earth.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 6/4/2009)