杏MAP导航 thanks Bose Monastics for 'fruitful presence' in Church and society
Linda Bordoni
杏MAP导航 Francis on Monday thanked Enzo Bianchi, founder of the ecumenical Monastic Bose Community for years of 鈥渇ruitful presence in the Church and in society鈥.
In a letter addressed to Bianchi, who planted the first seeds of the community in 1965 鈥 significantly on the day the Second Vatican Council ended 鈥 the 杏MAP导航 said 鈥渋ts simple beginning has become a significant mission which has favoured the renewal of religious life鈥.
The community
The community today is made up of some 80 brothers and sisters from different Christian churches who live a life of prayer and work, seeking God in prayer, poverty, celibacy and obedience to the Gospel.
The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 message marks 50 years since Enzo Bianchi wrote its Rule.
Place of prayer, encounter, dialogue
鈥淲ithin this stream of grace鈥 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥測our community has distinguished itself in its commitment to prepare the way for unity among Christian Churches, becoming a place of prayer, encounter and dialogue in view of the communion of faith and love for which Jesus prayed鈥.
He also expressed his appreciation for the community鈥檚 ministry of hospitality which welcomes all, without distinction - believers and non-believers - as well as for its capacity to listen and to console and for its service of discernment for young people in search of their role in society.
Contemporary challenges
He encouraged Bose Community members to be 鈥渆ver more witnesses of evangelical love鈥 and witnesses of authentic fraternal communion in the face of contemporary challenges.
鈥淢ay community elders encourage the young and may the young take charge of the elderly: a precious treasure of wisdom and perseverance鈥 he said.
And he urged them to continue to be attentive to the little ones, the least, pilgrims and foreigners as 鈥渢hey are the most fragile members of the body of Jesus鈥.
鈥淢ay this anniversary be a moment of grace for each of you鈥 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥渁 time to meditate more intensely on your call and your mission鈥 and may the sobriety of your life 鈥渂e a shining witness to the radical nature of the Gospel鈥.
May your fraternal and charitable lifestyle, he concluded, 鈥渂e a sign that you are a house of communion where all can be welcomed as Christ in person鈥.
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