THANKS Pope Benedict XVI!
Benedict XVI, whose motto was “Cooperators of Truth” tirelessly exercised his pontificate as a Teacher of the Faith, as he himself defined it in the homily that preceded his election to the Papacy:
“An “adult” faith is not a faith that follows the trends of fashion and the latest novelty; a mature adult faith is deeply rooted in friendship with Christ. It is this friendship that opens us up to all that is good and gives us a criterion by which to distinguish the true from the false, and deceit from truth. We must develop this adult faith; we must guide the flock of Christ to this faith”.
Benedict XVI,was a man of deep spirituality, centered in Christ and in His mystery, the One who gives meaning, redeems and sanctifies everything.
He was one of the most brilliant theologians of recent times. With his intelligence, illuminated by the Faith, knew how to penetrate sharply and deeply into the mystery of Christ and, at the same time, knew how to transmit it in a simple and understandable way to the man of our times.
His humility, nobility, and gentleness, as our beloved Pope Francis reminds us, emphasizes in a striking way the richness of his personality.
As Shalom Community, we are deeply grateful to Pope Benedict XVI. During his Pontificate, we had the Pontifical Recognition of the Shalom Catholic Community and its Statutes. We also had the opportunity to collaborate on some occasions and services, in an even closer way, to the Petrine Ministry.
Blessed be God for such a great gift given to the Church of our time!
Today we give back to the Father’s hands this gift received. May he, from heaven, intercede for all of us, being part of that procession that he himself defined in the homily at the beginning of his Petrine ministry, referring to the Easter of his predecessor, Saint John Paul II:
“Whoever believes, is never alone either in life or in death”. At that moment we could invoke the saints of all the centuries, his friends, his brothers in the faith, knowing that they would have been in the living procession that would have accompanied him in the afterlife to the glory of God.
Through the hands of Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, may this humble laborer in the Lord’s vineyard, hear from the mouth of his Lord, whom he loved to the end in this life: Well done, good and faithful servant; since you have been faithful in a little, I will entrust much to you. Come and rejoice with your Lord! (Mt 2:25)
Amen!
Founder of the Shalom Catholic Community