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                               VIS-Press releases

CONSECRATED PEOPLE: GOSPEL, FRATERNITY, MISSION

VATICAN CITY, 26 NOV 2010 (VIS) - The Pope today received participants in the
general assembly of the Union of Superiors General (USG, for male religious)
and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG, for female religious).

"The profound renewal of consecrated life stems from the centrality of the Word
of God and, in more concrete terms, from the Gospel the supreme rule for you
all", the Holy Father told his audience. "The Gospel, put into
practice every
day, is the element that makes consecrated life intriguing and beautiful,
presenting you before the world as a reliable alternative. This is what
contemporary society needs, this is what the Church expects of you: to be a
living Gospel".

Referring then to "another fundamental aspect of consecrated life, that of
fraternity", Benedict XVI highlighted how this "is one of the aspects that
young people seek most when they feel attracted by your lifestyle. It is an
important prophetic element you offer to a highly fragmented society". In this
context he spoke of the need "for serious and constant discernment in order to
listen to what the Spirit is telling the community, in order to recognise what
comes from the Lord and what is contrary to Him. Without discernment,
accompanied by prayer and reflection, consecrated life risks basing itself on
the criteria of this world: individualism, consumerism, materialism; criteria
that undermine fraternity and cause consecrated life to lose its allure".

The Holy Father then turned to consider another theme: mission. "It is part of
your identity", he said, "it encourages you to bring the Gospel
to everyone,
without borders. Mission, supported by a strong experience of God, solid
formation and fraternal life in the community, is a key to understanding and
revitalising consecrated life. ... Renew your presence in today's areopaghi, in
order to announce the 'unknown' God, as St. Paul did in Athens".

Speaking then of the decreasing numbers of consecrated people, especially in
Europe, the Pope noted that "the difficulties must not make us forget that
consecrated life has its origins in the Lord; chosen by Him for the edification
and sanctity of His Church. Thus consecrated life "will never be
lacking" in
the Church.

The Holy Father concluded by encouraging consecrated people "to progress in
faith and hope", and called for "a renewed commitment in the
pastoral care of
vocations and in initial and permanent formation".
AC/VIS 20101126 (410)

SUMMARY

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