CARDINAL BERTONE
ASKS CONTEMPLATIVE MONASTERIES FOR PRAYER
H.E. CARD. Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B.
Vatican City, 25
February 2013 (VIS) - Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B.,
sent a letter to the monasteries devoted to contemplative life around the
world, inviting them to intensify their prayers at this special moment in the
life of the Church. Following is the entire text of the message that is dated
21 February.
“I write to you as the whole Church
anxiously follows the final days of the luminous pontificate of His Holiness
Benedict XVI and awaits the arrival of the successor whom the Cardinals
gathered in conclave and guided by the Holy Spirit will choose, after
discerning together the signs of the times of the Church and the world.”
“His Holiness Benedict XVI has asked
all the faithful to accompany him with their prayers as he commends the Petrine
ministry into the Lord’s hands, and to await with trust the arrival of the new
Pope. In a particularly urgent way this appeal is addressed to those chosen
members of the Church who are contemplatives. The Holy Father is certain that
you, in your monasteries and convents throughout the world, will provide the
precious resource of that prayerful faith which down the centuries has
accompanied and sustained the Church along her pilgrim path. The coming
conclave will thus depend in a special way on the transparent purity of your
prayer and worship.”
“The most significant example of this
spiritual elevation which manifests the most authentic and profound dimension
of every ecclesial action, the presence of the Holy Spirit who guides the
Church, is offered to us by His Holiness Benedict XVI who, after having steered
the barque of Peter amid the waves of history, has chosen to devote himself
above all to prayer, contemplation and reflection.”
“The Holy Father, with whom I shared
the contents of this letter, was deeply appreciative, and asked me to thank you
and to assure you of his immense love and esteem.”
“With affection in Christ I send you
greetings, united with you in prayer.”
No comments:
Post a Comment