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VATICAN - Benedict XVI in Sulmona: “The characteristics of the brief and trying pontificate of Celestine V are also the characteristics of the missionary activity of the Church in every age.”
Sulmona (Agenzia Fides) – St. Peter, although he lived as a hermit, was not “closed in on himself” but was filled with passion to bring the good news of the Gospel to his brothers. And the secret of his pastoral fruitfulness was precisely in 'abiding' in the Lord, in prayer, as we were also reminded by today’s Gospel passage.” These were the words of the Holy Father Benedict XVI during the Mass celebrated in Garibaldi Square in Sulmona, where he paid an apostolic visit on July 4, on the occasion of the Jubilee Year to celebrate the 800th anniversary of birth of the monk St. Peter da Morrone, who became Pope and took the name of Celestine V.
Recalling the text from the Gospel of St. Luke, the Pope highlighted that “the first priority is always to pray to the Lord of the harvest (cf. Luke 10:2). And it is only after this invitation that Jesus outlines some of the essential duties of the disciples: the serene, clear and courageous proclamation of the Gospel message -- even in moments of persecution -- without ceding to the allurement of fashion nor to that of violence and imposition; detachment from worry about things -- money, clothing -- confiding in the providence of the Father; attention and care especially for the sick in body and spirit.” He then concluded: “These were also the characteristics of the brief and trying pontificate of Celestine V and these are the characteristics of the missionary activity of the Church in every age.”
In his homily, Benedict XVI showed his particular closeness to those living in precarious conditions “because of the lack of work, the uncertainty of the future, physical and moral suffering,” and because of the earthquake that took place on April 6, 2009. He then recalled parts of the life of St. Peter Celestine, highlighting that “he remains in history on account of the notable events of his pontificate and, above all, because of his holiness.”
A “Seeker of God” from the time of his youth, Peter was able to listen to God's voice in exterior silence, but above all interior silence, and here the Pope highlighted: “We live in a society in which it seems that every space, every moment must be “filled” with initiatives, activity, sound; often there is not even time to listen and dialogue. Dear brothers and sisters! Let us not be afraid to be silent outside and inside ourselves, so that we are able not only to perceive God’s voice, but also the voice of the person next to us, the voices of others.”
The discovery of the Lord was, therefore, possible for Peter thanks to the Grace of God: “Even if our life is very different from his, the same thing is also true for us: the entirety of what is essential in our existence was bestowed upon us without our intervention...We could have done nothing ourselves if it had not been given to us.” Peter da Morrone also developed a living experience of the beauty of creation, work of God's hands; thus, the Pope exhorted everyone: “I encourage you in this effort, exhorting everyone to feel responsible for their own future, and that of others, respecting and caring also for creation, fruit and sign of God’s love.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 5/07/2010)
Links:
Complete text of the Holy Father's homily, in Italian
http://www.fides.org/ita/documents/Ben_XVI_Sulmona_94072010.doc
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