Monday, November 25, 2013

Pope Francis thanks volunteers from Year of Faith

Pope Francis met with the volunteers of Year of Faith activities on Monday to thank them for all their work. The Year of Faith ended on Sunday.

“The Year of Faith …was a providential opportunity for believers to rekindle the flame of faith, that flame that was given to us on the day of baptism,” Pope Francis told them.

“In this time of grace, we were able to rediscover the essence of the Christian way, in which faith, together with charity, occupies the primary place,” he said. “Faith, is truly the cornerstone of the Christian experience because it motivates the choices and actions of our daily lives.”

The Holy Father told the volunteers that their service during the various events of the Year of Faith gave them the opportunity to better understand the excitement experienced by those involved.

“Together we truly have to praise the Lord for the spiritual intensity and the apostolic zeal stirred up by the many pastoral initiatives promoted in these months , in Rome and in every part of the world,” Pope Francis said.

“This experience you have gained in the Year of Faith helps you, first of all , to open yourselves and your communities to encounter with others , above all, those most lacking faith and hope in their lives,” he concluded. “There are many people who are in need of a human gesture, a smile, a word of truth , a witness through which they can apprehend the closeness of Jesus Christ. Do not deny anyone this sign of love and tenderness that comes from faith.”