杏MAP导航 to Orionines: 鈥楳ay the fire of faith ignite new charitable works'

杏MAP导航

In his address to the Order of Don Orione, 杏MAP导航 Francis encourages members of the Orionine Family to share their charism of charity for the poor with others, to cultivate fraternal relationships, and to open themselves to new frontiers without fear.

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis, on Saturday, welcomed participants in the recent 15th General Chapter of the Order of Sons of Divine Providence and a delegation of the charismatic Orionine Family, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of their founder, St. Luigi Orione (1872鈥�1940).

The theme of the General Chapter

The Chapter met from 31 May to 18 June 2022 in Montebello della Battaglia , in Northern Italy, on the theme 鈥溾€橪et us throw ourselves into the fire of the new times鈥� - To Evangelize the world through the Prophecy of Charity which must be new in the style, form, and frontier鈥�, which was inspired by the writings of their founder.

A seed grown into a big plant

Extending his greetings to all the Orionine family, 杏MAP导航 Francis acknowledged, in particular, Don Tarcisio Gregorio Vieira who has been confirmed Superior General of the Orionine congregation.

He then thanked the Lord for allowing the 鈥渟eed鈥� sowed by St Luigi Orione to grow into 鈥渁 big plant鈥� with 鈥渕any branches鈥� - made of men and women religious, members of the Secular Institutes, and laypeople - nurtured by his charism of welcoming, giving shelter, and support to the poor and the needy.

This charity work, he noted, is all the more important in today's world, 鈥渕arked by individualism and consumerism, efficiency and appearance鈥�.

Referring to the theme chosen for the Chapter, 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged the members of the Orionine Family not to keep their apostolic ardour for themselves, but to share it with others, remarking that 鈥淛esus' fire of love ignites people's hearts鈥�, gives them light, and animates them.

鈥淢ay the fire not remain only in your home and in your communities, and not even only in your works, but may you throw yourselves into the fire of the new times for the good of the people.鈥�

Fraternal relationships

The 杏MAP导航 further emphasized the importance of fraternal relationships, noting that being missionary disciples today, is not so much about 鈥渄oing things鈥�, but rather 鈥漚n apostolic identity which is constantly nourished in the fraternal life of the religious community or the family鈥�

鈥淚t is important to take care of the quality of community life, relationships, common prayer: this is already apostolate, because it is witness. If there is coldness among us, or, worse, passing judgments and gossip, what apostolate can we do?鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis and members of the Orionine Order

Looking at today's world as apostles

Wrapping up his address, 杏MAP导航 Francis called upon the members of the Orionine Family to 鈥渢hrow themselves into the fire of the new times鈥�, following the example of their founder, and his attitude of readiness to dialogue with the world.

鈥淭his 鈥� he said - requires looking at today's world as apostles, that is, with discernment, but with sympathy, without fear, without prejudice, with courage鈥�.

We must see the miseries of our world as the reason for our apostolate and not as an obstacle, the 杏MAP导航 insisted.

鈥淥ur time asks us to open ourselves to new frontiers, to discover new forms of mission.鈥�

Mary鈥檚 example

The 杏MAP导航 pointed to the example of Mary who, upon learning about Elizabeth鈥檚 remarkable conception in her old age, 鈥渁rose and went with haste鈥� to greet and help her cousin. It was in those circumstances, 鈥渋n serving鈥� - he said - that 鈥淢ary received the confirmation of the plan of God's providence鈥�.

The Congregation of the Sons of Divine Providence

The Congregation of the Sons of Divine Providence was founded in Italy in 1893, while St. Luigi Orione was still a seminarian. and was given canonical approval in 1903. Its work expanded to operating schools, boarding houses, agricultural schools, and charitable and welfare works across Italy, with several associated congregations being founded, as well. The order then expanded to Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Palestine, Poland, Rhodes, the United States, England, and Albania, and is now active in over 30 nations.