杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

杏MAP导航 Francis on Saturday addressed the Italian Federation of Blood Donor Associations (FIDAS) as they celebrate their 65th anniversary of foundation.

In his address the 杏MAP导航 underscored the spiritual dimension of blood donation as a pathway to joy and Christian growth.

'It is more blessed to give than to receive'

鈥淕iving,鈥� he said, 鈥渂rings joy because it changes and enriches our whole life, entering the luminous dynamic of the Gospel, where everything finds its meaning and fullness in charity.鈥�

A testimony of Christian love 

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to highlight that blood donation is also an important testimony of Christian love towards those in need which has no boundaries of race, ethnic or religious affiliation. 鈥淚n a world marked  by individualism,鈥� he said 鈥測our selfless and anonymous act is a sign that overcomes indifference and loneliness and breaks down barriers.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 noted that blood itself, 鈥渋s an eloquent symbol鈥� as, like love, it does not discriminate and reaches wherever it is needed.

He remarked that the very gesture of extending the arm made at the moment of blood donation is similar to that of Jesus in the Passion when He voluntarily stretched out His body on the Cross. 鈥淚t is a gesture (...) that reminds us that the Church's evangelizing mission passes through charity,鈥� he said

Follow the blood to reach the heart

Finally, thanking the blood donors for what they do, 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged them to view their donation not only as an act of human generosity, but also as a 鈥渟piritual journey鈥� toward unity and reconciliation in Christ, who identifies with those in need and suffering.

He recalled that: 鈥淲hoever follows the blood reaches the heart, both physically and spiritually鈥� that is, he said  citing this own word in the recent Encycal 'Dilexit Nos',  the 鈥渦nifying centre of the person"  where  "self-knowledge and openness to others"  meet.