VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI in Brazil - “ It is not enough to care for the body, we must adorn the soul with the most precious divine gifts acquired through Baptism.”

Guaratinguetà (Agenzia Fides) - After meeting a community of Poor Clare Sisters and celebrating Mass at the Fazenda da Esperança in Guaratinguetá, Pope Benedict XVI had a meeting with the community gathered with Brother Hans Stapel, founder of the social work Nossa Senhora da Glória, known as "Fazenda da Esperança". The Pope wished peace and happiness to all the inmates, the volunteers, the benefactors present in an many Fazendas in different countries all over the world.
Citing the Book of Revelation “ Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me" (Rev 3:20), Pope Benedict XVI said : “At some stage in people’s lives, Jesus comes and gently knocks at the hearts of those properly disposed. Perhaps for you, he did this through a friend or a priest, or, who knows, perhaps he arranged a series of coincidences which enabled you to realise that you are loved by God. Through the institution which has welcomed you, the Lord has given you this opportunity for physical and spiritual recovery, so vital for you and your families. In turn, society expects you to spread this precious gift of health among your friends and all the members of the community.
You must be Ambassadors of hope!”
He then recalled that in Brazil and all over Latin America drug abuse is widespread: “ I therefore urge the drug-dealers to reflect on the grave harm they are inflicting on countless young people and on adults from every level of society: God will call you to account for your deeds. Human dignity cannot be trampled upon in this way. The harm done will receive the same censure that Jesus reserved for those who gave scandal to the "little ones", the favourites of God (cf. Mt 18:7-10).”
Lastly the Pope expressed his appreciation for this Work to rehabilitate drug addict and reinsert them in society, “ which has the charism of Saint Francis and the spirituality of the Focolare Movement as its spiritual foundation”: “Reintegration in society undoubtedly demonstrates the effectiveness of your initiative. Yet it is the conversions, the rediscovery of God and active participation in the life of the Church which attract even greater attention and which confirm the importance of your work. It is not enough to care for the body, we must adorn the soul with the most precious divine gifts acquired through Baptism.” At the end of his address Pope Benedict XVI thanked those who support the Opera Sociale Nossa Senhora da Glória, with prayers and material aid and he asked the community to pray for the 5th General Conference of the Council of Bishops' Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean: “ offer your prayers, sacrifices, and renunciations on the altar of the Chapel, in the certainty that they will rise up to heaven in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as a fragrant offering to Almighty God. I am counting on your help!”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/5/2007; righe 34, parole 505)