Pope
Francis addresses catechists and teachers
(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met catechists and teachers at the Munyonyo
shrine situated some 40 kilometres south of the Uganda capital, Kampala. In his
brief address to the gathering, he encouraged them to persevere in their
“rewarding” but “not easy” work and be not just teachers but also "a
witness" through their example.
Please
find below an English translation of the Pope’s prepared remarks to the
catechists and teachers:
Greeting
to Catechists
Kampala,
Munyonyo
Friday,
27 November 2015
Dear
Catechists and Teachers, Dear Friends,
I greet you with affection in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Teacher.
“Teacher!” What a beautiful name this is! Jesus is our first
and greatest teacher. Saint Paul tells us that Jesus gave his Church not
only apostles and pastors, but also teachers, to build up the whole body in
faith and love. Together with the bishops, priests and deacons who are
ordained to preach the Gospel and care for the Lord’s flock, you, as catechists,
play an outstanding part in bringing the Good News to every village and
homestead in your country.
I wish before all else, to thank you for the sacrifices which you and your
families make, and for the zeal and devotion with which you carry out your
important task. You teach what Jesus taught, you instruct adults and help
parents to raise their children in the faith, and you bring the joy and hope of
eternal life to all. Thank you for your dedication, your example, your
closeness to God’s people in their daily lives, and all the many ways you plant
and nurture the seeds of faith throughout this vast land. Thank you
especially for teaching our children and young people how to pray.
I know that your work, although rewarding, is not easy. So I encourage
you to persevere, and I ask your bishops and priests to support you with a
doctrinal, spiritual and pastoral formation capable of making you ever more
effective in your outreach. Even when the task seems too much, the
resources too few, the obstacles too great, it should never be forgotten that
yours is a holy work. The Holy Spirit is present wherever the name of
Christ is proclaimed. He is in our midst whenever we lift up our hearts
and minds to God in prayer. He will give you the light and strength you
need! The message you bring will take root all the more firmly in
people’s hearts if you are not only a teacher but also a witness. Your
example should speak to everyone of the beauty of prayer, the power of mercy and
forgiveness, the joy of sharing in the Eucharist with all our brothers and
sisters.
The Christian community in Uganda grew strong through the witness of the
martyrs. They testified to the truth which sets men free; they were
willing to shed their blood to be faithful to what they knew was good and
beautiful and true. We stand here today in Munyonyo at the place where
King Mwanga determined to wipe out the followers of Christ. He failed in
this, just as King Herod failed to kill Jesus. The light shone in the
darkness, and the darkness could not overcome it (cf. Jn 1:5). After
seeing the fearless testimony of Saint Andrew Kaggwa and his companions,
Christians in Uganda became even more convinced of Christ’s promises.
May Saint Andrew, your patron, and all the Ugandan catechist martyrs, obtain
for you the grace to be wise teachers, men and women whose every word is filled
with grace, convincing witnesses to the splendour of God’s truth and the joy of
the Gospel! Go forth without fear to every town and village in this
country, to spread the good seed of God’s word, and trust in his promise that
you will come back rejoicing, with sheaves full from the harvest.
Omukama Abawe Omukisa! (God bless you!)
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