Pope Francis: The Synod by listening to the Holy Spirit

Catarina Agurelius – Vatican

On Thursday morning, October 20, Pope Francis received the Congregation of the Marianhill Missionaries in connection with the Seventeenth General Chapter. The congregation was founded in South Africa by the Austrian Trappist and missionary Franz Pfanner along with other Trappists. In his address to his guests, the Pope turned his thoughts precisely to the origins of monasticism and urged them to hold on to its original gift, which combines devotion to the Gospel and its propagation.

A common goal

The Pope commented on the theme of the general chapter “Solidarity: the call to a common spirit and common purpose” and stressed that “this is particularly important, in light of the broader congregational path that the universal Church has taken in recent months.” It is an “ecclesial path” that means the strengthening of the community and the participation and mission of all baptized people through a process of spiritual discernment focused on encounter, listening and reflection, in order to achieve a greater openness to novelty and suggestions. of the Holy Spirit.”

“One of the essential elements of the conciliar path is the development of a greater sense of responsibility in the lay faithful for the life and future of the Church.”

pastoral conversion

Here missionaries Maryanhill can be a model, explained the Pope: “The history of your ordinance shows from the beginning that the proclamation of the Gospel was followed by a commitment to encourage local vocations, to promote sustainable human development within local dioceses and to cultivate a spirit of shared responsibility for the common good.”

“As you hold fast to your efforts to continue this unity and solidarity in the service of the Gospel, I encourage you to develop a lasting pastoral conversion that can manifest itself in all dimensions of the life and activity of your rank, in everything from the spiritual formation of priests and laity to the actual planning of apostolic projects.”

The voice of the Holy Spirit that is still faint

The Pope said that the council to which the Church is now called is to listen to what the Holy Spirit wants to tell us, explaining this through a parable:

“Not far from here stands the great obelisk in Peter’s Square. You all know the impression Father Phanir got from the story surrounding the raising of the Great Monolith. Despite enormous human effort, it was only possible to save the obelisk from falling at the last moment by pouring water On the ropes. Today, as always, the water of the Holy Spirit is necessary, but above all to soften the hard ground of our hearts. “

In conclusion, the Pope asks the missionaries to be kind in acts of love and to speak with kindness, kindness and beautiful humility that the Holy Spirit gives to the heart.

The Pope receives the Marianhill Missionary Congregation on October 20, 2022