Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Fides Service) - On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the reinstating of permanent deaconate in the diocese of Rome, Pope Benedict XVI granted a special audience to the diocese’s permanent deacons on Saturday 19 February in the Vatican. The deacons were accompanied by the Pope’s vicar for Rome diocese Cardinal Camillo Ruini. The Pope said “Dear deacons I thank you for your generous service in so many parish communities in Rome, particularly in baptismal and family pastoral care… Many of you work in offices, hospitals, schools and in all these environments you are called to be servants of the Truth. Announcing the Gospel you offer the Word which illuminates and gives significance to the work of man and the sufferings of the sick, and you help new generations discover the beauty of the Christian faith. In this way you are deacons of the Truth which makes you free, and you lead the people of this city to encounter Jesus Christ. To welcome the Redeemer into his life is for man a source of profound joy, a joy which gives peace even in times of trial. Therefore be servants of the Truth in order to be heralds of the joy God wishes to give every man and women”.
At the beginning of his address the Pope said that in their ministry deacons should be inspired by the example of Jesus: “He, Christ, is the example to whom we must look. In the Gospel he told his disciples that he had come "to serve, not to be served" (cfr Mt 20,28)... unity with Christ, nourished with prayer, sacramental life and especially adoration of the Eucharist, is of the utmost importance for your ministry if it is to truly bear witness to God’s love”.
The Pope also stressed the need to accompany the announcement of the Gospel with concrete charity which “which has belonged to the ministry of deacons since the beginning: the seven disciples mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles were chosen to distribute food to the poor. You belong to the Church in Rome and you are heirs of a long tradition which has in the figure of the deacon St Lawrence, a singularly fine and shining figure”. Today there are various types of poor people, many come from countries which are distant from Italy and they come knocking on parish doors asking for help, “Welcome these brothers and sisters warmly, ready to help them - the Pope said -… Your service helps the poor realise they are part of the great family of the children of God, the Church. Dear deacons of Rome as you live and witness to the infinite charity of God, may your ministry always serve to build the Church as a communion”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 20/2/2006 - righe 29; parole 424)
