Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Receiving thousands of Catholics from various dioceses of the Italian region of Romagna on Saturday 7 October in the Paul VI Hall in the Vatican, the Pope urged them to “Witness to the joy of being Christians”. “To do this - the Pope added - continue, indeed intensify ecclesial communion and be generous protagonists of the evangelising mission which the Lord entrusts to you”. This large group of Catholics had made the pilgrimage to Rome to commemorate the pastoral visit made to the region by Pope John Paul II, in May 20 years ago. “His words remain imprinted on your hearts and your memories- Pope Benedict XVI said -. Rereading his precious teaching is therefore a singular opportunity for your beautiful and vivacious diocesan communities; it is a stimulus for reflection and in depth study of affective and effective communion among all the components of the respective particular Churches; it is a call to walk united with your bishops and with the Successor of Peter; it is encouragement for the members of your dioceses to continue, with new impulse, the common mission to evangelise, bearing witness in this epoch to the Gospel of hope.”
This demanding mission can be achieved only with “the help of God and convinced and courageous appreciation for the spiritual heritage which the people of Romagna has safeguarded and defended down through the centuries” said the Holy Father and, recalling also the words of his Predecessor, he urged those present never to be discouraged in the face of difficulties: “I think of the crises which threaten many families, of the growing need for priestly and religious vocations to meet the concerning drop in numbers and the rising age of the clergy; I think of the dangers of a secularised consumer society, which tends to seduce an ever greater number of people inducing them to suffer progressive detachment from values of the faith and family, civil and political life”. These difficulties “must be faced looking with courage and with trust to many motives for hope which thank God are not lacking. For example there are many who wish to give a solid sense and value to their lives, men and women engaged in a serious and intense religious search”. Repeating the words of John Paul II 20 years ago, Pope Benedict XVI concluded: “It is time to live to the full the joy of being Christians. Bear witness of this joy to the world. Christ walks with you, the Risen Lord, over whom death has no longer power, because He has conquered death once and for all ”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/10/2006 - Righe 29, parole 429)
