Pope
encourages Comboni Missionaries in General Chapter
(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis has expressed gratitude and appreciation for the work of
Comboni missionaries and reminded them to take their witness of faith into the
peripheries of society.
The
Pope’s words of encouragement came as he addressed the Comboni Missionaries of
the Heart of Jesus gahtered for their General Chapter which takes place every
six years.
During
the Chapter participants are involved in a process of discernment that calls
them to be deep in communion with the Holy Spirit in order to take steps
forward in the fulfilment of their vocation.
In
his discourse Pope Francis described their mission as “servants and messengers
of the Gospel” as a gift. He said that at the foundation of their particular
vocation is their personal relationship with Christ which is rooted in Baptism,
confirmed in Confirmation and for some, strengthened by Ordination.
The
Pope described the missionaries as servants of God-who-speaks; of God who
wishes to speak to the men and women of today, just as Jesus spoke to the men
and women of his time.
He
said that the grace of Christ is at the heart of their mission making it
authentic: “believing in Him one can transmit the Word of God that animates,
sustains and fertilizes the commitment of the missionary”.
“That’s
why, dear brothers, we must always nourish ourselves with the Word of God, so
that we may be his faithful echo” he said.
And
he pointed out that in God’s Word there is the wisdom that comes from above and
that allows us to find the right language, the right attitude and the right
instruments to respond to the challenges of a changing humanity.
Pope
Francis said that as Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus “you contribute
with joy to the mission of the Church bringing the witness of Saint Daniele
Comboni”.
He
encouraged the missionaries to imitate the merciful and meek Jesus and to live
their service with a humble heart taking care of those who are most abandoned.
“Never
cease asking the Sacred Heart for meekness, which is a daughter of charity, and
is patient, kind, hopeful and bears all” the Pope said.
That
Sacred Heart, the Pope continued, “pushes you into the peripheries of society
to bring witness of the perseverance of patient and faithful love”.
Pope
Francis expressed his hope that the contemplation of Jesus’ wounded Heart may
always renew the missionaries’ passion for the men and women of our time. A
passion that is expressed in solidarity, especially towards the weakest, and in
promoting justice, peace and the respect for the dignity of each person.
He
concluded his address with the hope that the reflections of General Chapter may
enlighten the work of the Institute and its vision for the years to come and
help the members always stay in touch with their great patrimony of
spirituality and missionary activity.
Recalling
the fact that many Comboni missionaries have given their lives as they
witnessed the faith, Pope Francis invoked the protection of Our Lady, mother of
the Church upon them all.
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