VATICAN - “The ancient custom of Peter’s Pence stems from the awareness that each member of the faithful is called to offer material support for the work of evangelisation and to assist the poor and the needy with generosity”: the Pope receives Circolo San Pietro

Friday, 9 March 2007

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - On March 8 the Pope received members of the Rome-based charity organization, the Circolo San Pietro, for their traditional annual audience during which they present him with Peter's Pence, the proceeds of collections taken up in Roman churches over the last year. In his address the Holy Father said: “The ancient practice of Peter’s Pence started in a way in the among the early Christian communities and stems from the awareness that each member of the faithful is called to offer material support to the work of evangelisation and at the same time meet the needs of the poor and needy” . The custom has always been very dear to the hearts of Catholics in England. By the end of the eighth century the Anglo-Saxons felt so closely linked to the Bishop of Rome that they decided to send a regular annual contribution to the Holy Father. It was thus that the Denarius Sancti Petri (Alms of Saint Peter) originated and spread throughout Europe.
The Circolo San Pietro is charged with this collection and with organising charitable work in the diocese of Rome. “Peter’s Pence collected in dioceses, parishes and religious communities all over the world is sent to the Pope to be used to meet requests for help coming from many different countries. In the history of the Church this economic support on the part of the faithful has been particularly significant” the Holy Father said quoting the Encyclical Saepe venerabilis of Blessed Pope Pius IX.
Thanking the members of the Association the Pope said “also in our day the Church continues to spread the Gospel and cooperate to build a humanity of more solidarity and brotherhood. And precisely thanks also to Peter’s Pence she is able to carry on this mission of evangelisation and human promotion.” Among the initiatives promoted by the Association Pope Benedict XVI mentioned assistance to sick people and their families by means of the Hospice Sacro Cuore, and he concluded recalling that in this Season of Lent “the Liturgy reminds us besides prayer and fasting we must also help those most in need with material and spiritual assistance”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 9/3/2007 - righe 25, parole 358)


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