VATICAN CITY, MAY 28, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of Benedict XVI’s letter to Cardinal Angelo Sodano, papal legate for the celebration of Spain’s 10th National Eucharistic Congress, which is under way through Sunday in Toledo. The letter, which was signed April 21, and published by the Vatican press office last week, was written originally in Latin.
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Venerable Brother, Cardinal Angelo Sodano
Dean of the College of Cardinals
I firmly believe that all goods flow, as from a source, from the Lord himself. The faithful, who approach him with all confidence, are filled with grace and copiously enriched with his heavenly gifts. Because, «the gift, which is Christ, being one is in all; and because he is not lacking anywhere, gives himself in the measure that each one desires to receive him; dwells in each in so far as each one wishes to merit him» (Saint Hilary, De Trinitate, 2, 31).
With immense joy I have learned that between the days of May 27-30 a great number of faithful will gather in the very illustrious city of Toledo to celebrate the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. Being at the height of the Year for Priests and of the Holy Year of Santiago de Compostela, the people of God are filled with heavenly graces and salvific commemorations with which, sustained, it can carry out its mission in daily occupations, which must be done with fortitude and diligence.
To make myself present for such an important event, at the request of the Venerable Brother Braulio Rodríguez Plaza, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toledo, Primate of Spain, which was made in the name of all the bishops, I have decided to send an eminent man to exercise my participation and as a representative.
To you, then, venerable brother, I direct my thoughts, you who by your dignity and the distinguished place you hold among the fathers of the College of Cardinals, are undoubtedly the ideal person to exercise this ministry and carry it out admirably. Thus, moved by great affection for your person, venerable brother, I proclaim and constitute you as my legate for the celebration to which I have referred earlier.
Finally, you will manifest openly my benevolence and solicitude while I offer prayers so that, nourished with the divine bread, souls and spirits will be renewed and enriched with notable piety. Likewise I want you to transmit to all a warm greeting and ask that you impart, in my name, to all the participants of this event the apostolic blessing, so that it will be the proclamation of divine graces and stimulus of spiritual renewal.
Given in the Vatican Palace on the 21st day of the month of April, of the year 2010, the sixth of Our Pontificate.
Pope Benedict XVI
[Translation by ZENIT]
