杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� visit to the parish of San Giulio Papa, in the neighbourhood of Monteverde, was marked especially by his meetings with various groups of parishioners.

Rebuilding the Church

The choice of San Giulio was prompted in part by the completion of restoration work begun three years ago after the roof had collapsed. Speaking to those who undertook the work of renovation, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥淲e must be attentive, in the parish community, so that the life of virtue, of the liturgical actions, of holiness, does not fall鈥�.  He voiced his appreciation for the work, saying, 鈥淭hank you to the firm that has rebuilt the church; thanks too to the spiritual work of the pastor who works to ensure that the church will be holy.鈥�

Taking questions during his meeting with children and young people, 杏MAP导航 Francis was asked if he ever personally fed the poor. 鈥淵es, several times鈥�, he said, adding that feeding the poor in person is something 鈥渢hat all Christians must do鈥�.

Doubting is part of life

Another young person asked how people can trust God, despite their doubts, and asked if 杏MAP导航 Francis ever had doubts. The Holy Father responded that everybody has doubts at some point: 鈥淭o doubt is part of life鈥�. In moments of doubt, he said, 鈥淲e have to bet on one thing: on the fidelity of Jesus. Jesus is faithful, He is the only one who is totally faithful鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis also said that we should not be afraid to doubt, and to be honest with God, telling Him exactly how we feel. He said it is important, too, to share our feelings with others, discussing them, and growing with the help of others鈥�.

杏MAP导航 Francis also met with older members of the parish community, speaking with them about the suffering they experience. Despite the problems of age and illness, 鈥渟o many problems!鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said that Jesus is always there. 鈥淛esus never disappoints, never!鈥� Jesus knows what it means to suffer. 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥淎ll the complaints that we can make to Jesus, He transforms them in prayer, and presents them to the Father, because He went through all these things before us鈥�.

Signs a parish is doing well

In his meeting with newlyweds and young couples preparing for marriage, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the three 鈥渒ey words鈥� that are essential for married life: 鈥淢ay I?鈥�, 鈥淭hank you鈥�, and 鈥淪orry鈥�. 鈥淧erhaps you already know them鈥�, he said, 鈥渂ut they must be learnt with the mind and with the heart鈥�. He also counselled young couples not to be afraid to fight, but to never end the day without making peace.

Finally, addressing volunteers in the parish Caritas outreach, 杏MAP导航 Francis offered three 鈥渟igns鈥� that a parish is doing well: prayer; the 鈥渃harity of facts鈥�, exemplified by their charitable works; and 鈥減assive charity鈥�. 鈥淲hat is passive charity?鈥� he asked rhetorically. 鈥淭hat you love one another and do not criticize one another鈥�.

After hearing Confessions from several parishioners, 杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his visit by celebrating the Sunday Mass for the parish. The high point of the liturgy came with the dedication of the new altar by the 杏MAP导航, the completion of the long work of rebuilding.