On
Sunday morning, less than one week ahead of the feasts of Saint Peter
and Paul, Pope Francis met with members of a key volunteer group in the
Vatican named for the saints.The Saints Peter and Paul Association offers support to pilgrims at St. Peter’s Basilica and assists at papal liturgies. It also has charitable works, offering time and funding to various charities around Rome.
The following is a Vatican Radio translation of the address of Pope Francis to the Saints Peter and Paul Association, following the admission of 22 new members to the group earlier in the day:
Good morning!
I want to tell you thank you, many thanks! From the beginning, you have accompanied me with your prayer, with your affection and you precious service in the various celebrations. For this, I thank you from the heart.
I know that “behind the scenes” there is much organizational work. And then I know that, in addition to your service of welcome at St. Peter’s Basilica for the liturgical celebrations, your apostolate extends even to cultural and charitable activities. Above all charity, the concrete attention given to others, to the poorest, the weakest and the neediest is a distinctive sign of the Christian. You also have an intense program of formation for aspirants and young students who want to participate in the life of the association.
To grow in knowledge and in love of God is essential to bring his mercy and to live it with everyone, seeing in the face of those we encounter his face. For all this, I wish to express my appreciation and my gratitude. I congratulate, as well, the 22 new associates, who made their promises this morning: may the love of Christ always be your certainty, that you may be his generous and convinced witnesses.
It is beautiful to be a part of an association like yours, composed of men of different ages, united in the common desire to give a particular witness of Christian life, serving the Church and your brothers without asking for anything in return. This is beautiful: to serve without asking anything in return, as Jesus did. Jesus served us all and did not ask anything in return. That is beautiful: Jesus did things with gratuitousness and you do things with gratuitousness.
Your recompense is precisely this: the joy of serving the Lord and of doing it together! Know him always more through prayer, retreat days, meditation on the Word, study of the Catechism, to love him always more and to serve him with a generous heart, to expand the heart, always with patience, to expand, to love everyone, and not that small heart, that pettiness, that pettiness, which does much harm. Magnanimity. Your witness will be more convincing and efficacious, and even your service will be better and more joyful.
I entrust you all to the maternal protection of Our Lady and the intercession of Saints Peter and Paul. I pray as well for your families, especially the sick, and for your children, who are growing. I saw many children here: it’s beautiful, it’s beautiful! Continue to pray for me. To all, with affection, my blessing. Thank you!
Now I will give you the blessing. Think of all those you love: your family, your friends… Think, because the blessing comes upon them. But think, as well, of those who you do not love as much, some who hurt you, some with whom you are a little angry. Think even of these and that the blessing may be even for these. Agreed? That is what I want.
(Blessing)
Thank you very much.