Pope
Francis visits centre for disabled and needy children in Tirana
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has visited a residential
centre for disabled and needy children run by an Italian charity in the
Albanian capital, Tirana. It was the final engagement of his one-day
visit to Albania on Sunday. In his address at the Bethany Centre the Pope
spoke of how faith, working through charity, can dislodge indifference,
disbelief and apathy. He also said goodness offers infinitely more than
money which only disappoints and warned against measuring everything in terms
of power and money.
Please find below a translation into English
of the Pope’s address during his meeting with children at the Bethany Centre
and representatives of other charitable organisations in Albania:
“Dear
Friends,
I
thank you from my heart for your joyful welcome! Above all, I wish to
thank those of you who, each day, offer to so many children and youngsters in
need of care, tenderness, a serene environment and friendliness. May you
be also true educators, giving good example in the way you live and the way you
offer support.
In places such as this we are all confirmed in the faith; each one is helped in
his or her belief, because we see the faith visibly expressed in practical acts
of charity. We see how faith brings light and hope in situations of grave
hardship; we observe how faith is rekindled in hearts touched by the Spirit of
Jesus who said, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me” (Mk
9:37). This faith, working through charity, dislodges the mountains
of indifference, of disbelief and of apathy, and opens hands and hearts to work
for what is good and share this experience. Through humble gestures and
simple acts of service to the least among us, the Good News that Jesus is risen
and lives among us is proclaimed.
This
Centre, furthermore, shows that it is possible to live together peacefully and
fraternally as people of different ethnicities and followers of various
religious confessions. Here differences do not prevent harmony, joy and
peace, but rather become occasions for a greater mutual awareness and
understanding. The variety of religious experiences reveals a true and
reverential love of neighbour; each religious community expresses itself
through love and not violence, and is never ashamed of showing goodness!
The persons who nourish goodness in their heart, find that such goodness leads
to a peaceful conscience and to profound joy even in the midst of difficulties
and misunderstandings. Even when affronted, goodness is never weak but
rather, shows its strength by refusing to take revenge.
Goodness
is its own reward and draws us closer to God, who is the Supreme Good. It
helps us to think like him, to see our lives in the light of his plan of love
for each one of us, and enables us to delight in life’s daily joys, helping us
in difficulties and in trials. Goodness offers infinitely more than
money, which only deludes, because we have been created to receive the love of
God and to offer it, not measuring everything in terms of money or power.
Dear
friends, in her greeting, your Director recalled the steps taken by your
Association and the works that were inspired by the founder, Mrs Antonietta
Vitale, whom I cordially greet and thank for her welcome. Your Director
also spoke of help given by benefactors and described the progress of various
projects. She noted too, how many children have been lovingly welcomed
and cared for. Mirjan spoke, on the other hand, of a personal
experience, of wonder and gratitude for an encounter which was life-changing
for him, and which opened new horizons, offering opportunities to make new
friends, and particularly one Friend who is greater than all the others,
namely, Jesus. Mirjan said something very poignant in regard to those
volunteers who offer their help; he said, “For fifteen years now they have
sacrificed themselves joyfully out of love for Jesus and for us”. This
phrase reveals how making a gift of oneself for the love of Jesus gives birth
to joy and hope, and it also shows how serving one’s brothers and sisters is
transformed into an experience of sharing God’s kingdom. The words of
Mirjan-Paolo might seem paradoxical to many in our world who are slow to grasp
their meaning and who frantically seek the key to existence in earthly riches,
possessions and amusements. What these people discover, instead, is
estrangement and bewilderment.
The
secret to a good life is found in loving and giving oneself for love’s
sake. From here comes the strength to “sacrifice oneself joyfully”, and
thus the most demanding work is transformed into a source of a greater
joy. In this way, there is no longer any fear of making important choices
in life, but they are seen for what they are, namely, as the way to personal
fulfilment in freedom.
May
the Lord Jesus and his Mother, the Virgin Mary, bless your Association, this
Bethany Centre and the other centres which love has initiated and providence
has built. May God bless all the volunteers, benefactors and the children
and adolescents who have been welcomed here. May your patron, Saint
Anthony, accompany you along the way. I encourage you to continue
faithfully serving the Lord Jesus in the poor and abandoned, and to pray to him
so that the hearts and minds of all may be opened to goodness, to charity shown
in works, which is the source of real and authentic joy. I ask you also
kindly to pray for me, and from my heart, I bless each one of you.”
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét