杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis has written a personal to the 21 men 鈥� bishops and priests from around the world 鈥� whom he will raise to the Cardinalate at a consistory set for December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Noting that their elevation to the College of Cardinals will associate them with the Roman Clergy, the Bishop of Rome reminds them that membership in the College 鈥渋s an expression of the Church鈥檚 unity and of the bond that unites all the Churches with this Church of Rome.鈥�

'Eyes raised, hands joined, feet bare'

In his letter, the 杏MAP导航 Francis invites the Cardinals-elect 鈥渢o embody the three attitudes with which an Argentinian poet (Francisco Luis Bernárdez) once characterized Saint John of the Cross, and which are also applicable to us: 鈥榚yes raised, hands joined, feet bare.鈥欌��

Explaining these three attitudes, the Holy Father tells the soon-to-be Cardinals that their new service within the Church will require them to 鈥渓engthen your gaze and broaden your heart鈥� to see further and love more fervently.

They must keep their hands joined in prayer to enable them 鈥渢o shepherd well the flock of Christ,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, adding that prayer is 鈥渢he realm of discernment鈥� that helps discern God鈥檚 will and follow it.

Finally, the 杏MAP导航 said, they must keep their feet bare 鈥渂ecause they touch the harsh realities of all those parts of the world overwhelmed by pain and suffering,鈥� which will demand from the new Cardinals 鈥済reat compassion and mercy.鈥�

Concluding his letter, 杏MAP导航 Francis thanked the Cardinals-elect for their generosity and assured them of his prayers 鈥渢hat the title of 鈥榮ervant鈥� (deacon) will increasingly eclipse that of 鈥榚minence.鈥欌��