At 11:15 this morning, in the Apostolic Palace's Hall of Blessings, the Holy Father, Pope Francis received in audience, the members of the Saint Peter and Paul Association, and presented the following greeting.
Good morning.
I wish to say thank you to you all, thank you very much! From the beginning, you have accompanied me with your prayer, with your affection and with your precious service during various celebrations. For this, I wish to sincerely thank you.
I know that behind the scenes, there is much organizational work to do. And I know that, other than the service of welcome that you provide in Saint Peter's Basilica for the liturgical celebrations, your apostolate extends also to other cultural and charitable activities. Above all, you are involved in works of charity; paying concrete attention to others, to the poor, to the weak and the needy is one of the distinctive signs of a Christian. You also have an intense program of formation for candidates and young students who want to participate in the life of the Association. Growth in knowledge and the love of God is essential in order to live and to bear witness to his mercy toward all people, seeing his face in the faces of those we meet. For all of this, I want to express my appreication and my gratitude. I also wish to congratulate the twenty-two new members who made their promises this morning: may you always be convinced of the love of Christ, so that you may always be generous and convincing witnesses of his presence in our world.
It is good to be part of an association like yours, made up of men from various walks of life, united by a common desire to bear witness to Christian life, serving the Church and your brothers without ever asking for anything in return. This is beautiful: service without asking for anything in return, like Jesus himself did. Jesus served everyone and never asked for anything in return! Jesus did everything freely and you do everything freely. Your reward is this: the joy of serving the Lord, and of serving together! Strive always to know him more and more, in prayer, through days of retreat, through meditating on his Word, through the study of the Catechism - strive always to love him more and to serve with generous and open hearts, with magnanimity. This is a beautiful Christian virtue: magnanimity, to have a big heart, strive to always make it bigger, through patience and by loving everyone; and by not dwelling on the petty things that do so much harm, but on magnanimity. Your testimony will be more convincing and efficacious, and your service will be better and more joyous. I commend you all to the maternal protection of the Madonna, and to the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul. I also pray for your families, especially for those who are sick and for your children. I have seen so many children here: it is beautiful; it is beautiful! Continue to pray for me. I willingly impart to all of you my blessing. Thank you!
Now I will give you the blessing. Think of all those you love: of your families and your friends, so that the blessing may also descend on them. But think also of those who you do not love so much, those who have done evil instead of good, and even those with whom you may be a bit angry. Think also of these, and may my blessing also be offered for them.
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the Audience with members of the
Saint Peter and Paul Association
Good morning.
I wish to say thank you to you all, thank you very much! From the beginning, you have accompanied me with your prayer, with your affection and with your precious service during various celebrations. For this, I wish to sincerely thank you.
I know that behind the scenes, there is much organizational work to do. And I know that, other than the service of welcome that you provide in Saint Peter's Basilica for the liturgical celebrations, your apostolate extends also to other cultural and charitable activities. Above all, you are involved in works of charity; paying concrete attention to others, to the poor, to the weak and the needy is one of the distinctive signs of a Christian. You also have an intense program of formation for candidates and young students who want to participate in the life of the Association. Growth in knowledge and the love of God is essential in order to live and to bear witness to his mercy toward all people, seeing his face in the faces of those we meet. For all of this, I want to express my appreication and my gratitude. I also wish to congratulate the twenty-two new members who made their promises this morning: may you always be convinced of the love of Christ, so that you may always be generous and convincing witnesses of his presence in our world.
It is good to be part of an association like yours, made up of men from various walks of life, united by a common desire to bear witness to Christian life, serving the Church and your brothers without ever asking for anything in return. This is beautiful: service without asking for anything in return, like Jesus himself did. Jesus served everyone and never asked for anything in return! Jesus did everything freely and you do everything freely. Your reward is this: the joy of serving the Lord, and of serving together! Strive always to know him more and more, in prayer, through days of retreat, through meditating on his Word, through the study of the Catechism - strive always to love him more and to serve with generous and open hearts, with magnanimity. This is a beautiful Christian virtue: magnanimity, to have a big heart, strive to always make it bigger, through patience and by loving everyone; and by not dwelling on the petty things that do so much harm, but on magnanimity. Your testimony will be more convincing and efficacious, and your service will be better and more joyous. I commend you all to the maternal protection of the Madonna, and to the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul. I also pray for your families, especially for those who are sick and for your children. I have seen so many children here: it is beautiful; it is beautiful! Continue to pray for me. I willingly impart to all of you my blessing. Thank you!
Now I will give you the blessing. Think of all those you love: of your families and your friends, so that the blessing may also descend on them. But think also of those who you do not love so much, those who have done evil instead of good, and even those with whom you may be a bit angry. Think also of these, and may my blessing also be offered for them.
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