杏MAP导航 to Theatines: Embrace renewal, communion, and service
By Christopher Wells
When Gaetano da Thiene, known as St Cajetan, and the first Theatines made their first solemn vows in St Peter鈥檚 Basilica 500 years ago today, the edifice was more like a 鈥渂uilding site鈥� than the completed church we see today, 杏MAP导航 Francis said on Saturday.
Addressing members of the Theatine order on the anniversary of the event, the Holy Father noted that at the time, work had already begun to demolish the original Basilica, which had stood for more than a thousand years.
Courageous paths of renewal
鈥淏rothers鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渢his is an image that helps us to reflect on the need, in order to remain faithful to our mission, to take courageous paths of renewal鈥�.
He insisted that 鈥渇idelity must be renewed鈥�, adding, 鈥渢here can be no fidelity that is not renewed; remaining founded on the old, yes, but at the same time ready to demolish what is no longer needed in order to build something new, docile to the Spirit and trusting in Providence.鈥�
鈥淭his is renewal鈥�, he said.
A welcoming home is not built alone
杏MAP导航 Francis went on to highlight the importance of communion, again drawing from the history of the Basilica by recalling the 鈥渇amous artists, skilled craftsman, and multitude of labourers鈥� who worked together to bring the church to completion.
鈥淭his, too, is an important sign鈥�, he said. 鈥淎 welcoming home is not built alone, but together, in community, valuing the contribution of all鈥�.
Finally, the 杏MAP导航 highlighted the importance of service. 鈥淭he most beautiful projects would have come to nothing if people, rolling up their sleeves, had not set to work鈥�.
St Cajetan demonstrated this, he said, 鈥渨ith the many works of charity he promoted鈥�. But we were taught this first by Jesus, the 杏MAP导航 added, 鈥淲ho came not to be served but to serve and to give His life鈥� on the Cross.
Embrace rewewal, communion, service with joy
While marvelling at the beauty of St Peter鈥檚 Basilica, 杏MAP导航 Francis emphasized that the building is only a symbol of the reality of the Church.
鈥淔ive hundred years ago,鈥� he said, 鈥測our founders did not consecrate their lives to a building site of bricks and marbles, but of living stones; they consecrated their lives to the Church, with a capital 鈥楥鈥�; the Church, the bride of Christ, the People of God, and the Mystical Body of the Lord鈥�.
杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his address with an invitation to the whole Theatine family to 鈥渆mbrace with joy, in today鈥檚 Jubilee, intentions of renewal, of communion, and of service鈥�.
Celebrating 500 years
On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the foundation of the Theatines, on 28 August a large statue of St Cajetan was brought from the parish church of 摩amrun, Malta, to the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle in Rome.
On Thursday, 12 September, the sculpture arrived in a solemn procession in St Peter's Basilica and was placed to the left of the Altar of Confession.
A work in papier-mâché by the Maltese sculptor Carlo Darmanin, who completed it in 1885, the statue depicts a mystical vision, which took place in 1517, in which the Virgin Mary delivers the Child Jesus into the hands of St Cajetan.
For the first time in its almost 140-year history, the statue has left Malta, where the saint is greatly venerated.
On Saturday, it will return to the Basilica of Sant'Andrea della Valle and on 30 September, it will be brought back to 摩amrun.
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