杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette M Reis, fsp

Priests, men and women religious, and lay faithful, gathered in grateful remembrance of Blessed James Alberione, the man chosen by God as the instrument through whom the various institutes to which they belong were founded.

The celebration opened with a procession bearing the reliquary in which lie the mortal remains of this man whom 杏MAP导航 John Paul II called 鈥渁n authentic prophet of the new evangelization鈥�. This reliquary, formerly kept in the sub-crypt of the Basilica, will now remain in the main church where it will be accessible to everyone.

Alberione closer to the people

Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, who presided over the celebration opened his homily saying that he did not want to hide his emotion at being requested to preside over the celebration. He also expressed his pleasure at the transfer of Blessed James Alberione鈥檚 remains, 鈥渟o he might be closer to the people鈥�.

He then expressed an invitation to everyone gathered that they lift up their gaze with him to 鈥渃ontemplate the heavenly Church鈥�the church of the martyrs, confessors, virgins and pastors, the church of so many simple baptized鈥� who with their hidden holiness allowed the Holy Spirit to walk on earth.

Blessed are the poor in spirit

The Cardinal stated that the first beatitude, 鈥淏lessed are the poor in spirit鈥�, is the only condition necessary to welcome a new Pentecost. He reminded Alberione鈥檚 disciples that the Alberione himself believed that the sanctification of the mind could be achieved by practicing this beatitude, thus making possible the living of the entire Gospel.

Poverty鈥攕ecret of success

As we face various crises 鈥�  fewer vocations, aging membership, changes in the world of communication, lack of hope, the pandemic 鈥� poverty is being forced on us, the Cardinal continued. This, however, 鈥渋s not evangelical poverty鈥�. Evangelical poverty is a 鈥渉orizon, a favourable condition, a secret of success that Blessed James Alberione understood as only the saints can understand鈥�. This secret, as expressed by Alberione is that everything needs to 鈥渂egin from the poverty of Bethlehem鈥�.

鈥淲e often ask what this means鈥�, the Cardinal went on. In a nutshell, it is acknowledging with the multitudes presented in chapter 7 of the Book of Revelation that 鈥楽alvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb鈥�. It is a confession, acknowledging this reality hidden behind the tapestry of salvation鈥�. To be able to recognize that God alone saves, creates, brings things to fulfilment鈥�.

True believers rely solely on God

On the other hand, the world constantly tempts us to 鈥渟ave ourselves, our institutes, our parishes鈥� in the same way Jesus was challenged to save Himself by getting down on the cross. To save ourselves without God is one of the greatest temptations and deceptions of all times, he said. Many want to do God鈥檚 work without relying on His providence. The believer, instead, is the one who stops seeking comfortable solutions and relies solely on God鈥檚 providence 鈥� the one who lives by receiving.

The goal is becoming saints

Cardinal de Donatis concluded his homily reminding those present that losing the objective by confusing the means with the end is another great temptation against evangelical poverty. He recalled how Blessed James Alberione desired that his sons and daughters not just write about others who became saints, but that they become saints themselves. 鈥淟et鈥檚 not forget that our primary goal is to become saints鈥�, he said. Rather than attaining ever greater professional competence, what is needed is the sanctification of our mentality by remaining in the Word and daily prayer, so that like Blessed Alberione, we might be capable of discerning the signs of the times 鈥渁ccording to divine wisdom鈥�.