VATICAN CITY, MARCH 11, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave today upon receiving in audience members of the Belgian charitable association Pro Petri Sede.
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Dear Friends,
I receive you joyfully this morning on the occasion of the pilgrimage that brings you to the See of Peter to reinforce your Christian life and to renew your commitment to service of the many persons to which the association Pro Petri Sede helps with great generosity.
With the whole Church, we have just entered the season of Lent. This season fosters the interior pilgrimage toward him who is the «Light of the World.» In fact, we need to let ourselves be illumined by Christ so that, in turn, seeing the urgency of our responsibility to the poor of the present time, we direct our look to them that gives us confidence again and clarifies the perspective of blessed eternity. Each one, in fact, is called to the salvation offered by Christ’s victory over all the evil that oppresses man. The season of Lent is the time of fasting, prayer and sharing (cf. Matthew 6:1-18).
Contributing to the struggle against poverty, sharing with almsgiving, we come close to others. As you know, a gift is nothing without the love that animates it and the fraternal bonds it weaves. Acting thus with charity, we express the truth of our being as there is more joy in giving than in receiving (cf. Acts 20:35), and we manifest the unity of the double commandment to love. In fact, sharing with our neighbor, we experience through the joy received, that fullness of life comes from love of God. Thus alms bring us closer to God and invite us to conversion.
The generous offer that you bring to the Successor of Peter today allows him to help populations harshly tried in recent times, especially those of Haiti. The service of charity belongs to the very nature of the Church. It is a lively expression of God’s solicitude for all men. By contributing indispensable material aid, the Church can also offer care of the heart and the love of which persons being tested are in so much need. I thank you, therefore, warmly in their name for the support you give in the struggle against what debases and degrades the dignity of every person «created in the image of God.»
Dear friends, may you be everywhere luminous and effective witnesses of the hope that the love of God infuses! Entrusting each one of you and your families, as well as the members of your association, to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to St. Peter and to the saints of your countries, I impart to you with all my heart the apostolic blessing.
[Translation by ZENIT]
