Pope Francis praised the patrimony of the Little Work of Divine Providence today, noting as he addressed participants in their General Chapter that during their founder’s time, members of the congregation were called «the running priests,» because they were always quickly moving to those in need.
The Pope said this today as he received in audience the participants in the 14th General Chapter of the Little Work of Divine Providence, which was founded by St. Luigi Orione (1872-1940).
The chapter’s theme is «Servants of Christ and of the Poor,» and the Chapter Fathers have elected a new Superior General, Father Tarcisio Vieira.
«The proclamation of the Gospel, especially in our days, requires much love of the Lord, joined to a particular initiative,» the Pope told them.
Referring to them being called the running priests, he said, «‘Amor est in via,’ reminded Saint Bernard, love is always on the way, love is always setting out. With Don Orione, I also exhort you not to remain closed in your environments, but to go ‘out.'»
«There is so much need of priests and Religious that do not stay only in charitable institutions,» the Holy Father continued, affirming that this work is necessary, but that there is also a need to «bring to every environment, including the most distant, the perfume of Christ’s charity.»
«Never lose sight either of the Church or of your Religious Community, indeed your heart must be there in your ‘cenacle,’” he said, «but then it is necessary to go out to bring God’s mercy to all, indistinctly.»
On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: https://zenit.org/articles/popes-address-to-little-work-of-divine-providence/
