International
Congress on Consecrated Life studies formation
(Vatican Radio) An international Congress for instructors for
Consecrated Life kicked off Wednesday in Rome following a prayer vigil Tuesday
for the success of the initiative. The April 7-11 Congress has as its
theme “To live in Christ according to the Form of Life of the Gospel – Formed
to consecrated life in the heart of the Church and of the world.”
In remarks at the opening of the Congress, the Prefect for the
Congregation for Consecrated Life, Cardinal João Braz de Aviz recalled that
over the next few days, religious - including hermits, monks, brothers and
sisters - of institutes of consecrated life would be reflecting on the basic
identity of their calling in the Church and the world, and on formational needs
to meet today’s challenges.
He recalled Pope
Francis’ invitation “to look to the past with gratitude” and to “look at the
signs of the times through the eyes of faith and to respond creatively to the
needs of the Church.” He noted new geographical and cultural challenges
which can disorient one today but invited those present to “live the present
with passion,” putting the Gospel message into action in their daily
lives.
Living the present
with passion means becoming “experts in communion, witnesses and artisans” of
communion, he said.
In a conflict-torn
society where different cultures struggle to find balance amidst inequalities
and injustices, Cardinal de Aviz said we are called to offer “a concrete model”
of fraternal community where the dignity and gifts inherent in each person are recognized
and appreciated.
Calling for the
consecrated to “embrace the future with hope,” Cardinal de Aviz acknowledged
the difficulties surrounding various forms of consecrated life, including
aging and fewer vocations, economic problems, the challenges of globalization,
the “insidiousness of relativism, marginalization and social
irrelevance.” Despite these, the Cardinal encouraged those present to
look with hope to the Lord for whom “nothing is impossible” so that they can
continue to contribute in great ways to the Church’s mission.
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét