VATICAN CITY, NOV. 30, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of the message Benedict XVI sent Nov. 23, via Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Pope’s secretary of state, to Cardinal Robert Sarah, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, on the occasion of the spiritual exercises taking place at the Marian shrine of Jasna Gora in Czestochowa, Poland.
The retreat, which is for leaders of the Church’s charity organizations in Europe, began Sunday and ends Friday. The theme of the encounter is: «Here I Am.»
* * *
Your Eminence,
His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI was pleased to be informed of the spiritual
exercises taking place at the Marian Shrine of Jasna Gora from Nov. 28 to Dec. 3, 2010, for people in positions of responsibility in Catholic charitable organizations throughout Europe, and he sends cordial greetings to all those taking part.
In view of the guiding theme of your meeting, the generous response of the prophet Isaiah to the call that he received from the Lord, the Holy Father prays that all of you will be moved by Christ’s love to renew your commitment to be of service to your brothers and sisters in need. The «formation of the heart» («Deus Caritas Est,» No. 31a), that these spiritual exercises are intended to foster, should enkindle within you the same sentiments of self-giving love that moved the Lord Jesus to bend down to wash the feet of his disciples and to lay down his life for his sheep (cf. ibid., No. 19).
With these sentiments, His Holiness assures all those present of his closeness in prayer. Commending them all to the intercession of Our Lady of Czestochowa, he cordially imparts his Apostolic Blessing.
Offering my own prayerful good wishes for the occasion, I remain
Yours sincerely in Christ,
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Secretary of State
