杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo 

Corsica's bishops, priests, deacons, religious and seminarians gathered in Corsica's Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption on Sunday the 15th of December to join 杏MAP导航 Francis in the recitation of the Angelus Prayer. 

Addressing the group of religious in what was the second event of his one-day Apostolic Journey to the French island, 杏MAP导航 Francis thanked those present for their daily efforts, even amidst challenges. 

Blessed by little

Among these challenges, the 杏MAP导航 recognised the struggle of spreading the Gospel today in Europe, where resources are few, numbers are small and society is often indifferent. However, 杏MAP导航 Francis described this 'poverty' as a blessing as 鈥渋t strips us of the pretense that we succeed by our own efforts". In this way, he reminded all those present that it is not about 鈥渕e鈥� but about God. This humility, he stressed, keeps the focus on Christ, who works through what we offer.

He then urged each person present to ask themselves: How am I living my priesthood, my consecration, my life as a disciple?

Care for yourself, care for others

The 杏MAP导航 then went on to invite those gathered to focus on two types of care: care for oneself and care for others.

In reminding people to care for themselves, 杏MAP导航 Francis described the religious vocation as not being a one-time 鈥測es鈥� but rather a daily renewal. 鈥淭here is no living off the Lord,鈥� he warned and emphasised the need for eucharistic celebration and for moments of silence. He also spoke of the importance of balancing life well, so as not to burnout. You need time for rest, dialogue, and even personal interests, he said, adding that fraternity, too, is vital.

Speaking then of the people they serve, 杏MAP导航 Francis quoted St Paul, who said 鈥淚 will most gladly spend and be spent for you鈥�. Evangelisation, the 杏MAP导航 noted, requires faith, creativity, and courage to reassess old methods and embrace new ways to meet people where they are. But above all, he added, it is about encounter - bringing Christ's hope to the suffering, the lost and all those who yearn for meaning. This means embracing compassion and forgiveness, particularly in the sacrament of reconciliation.

Speaking of forgiveness the 杏MAP导航 urged, 鈥�Please, forgive always. Forgive everything and always.鈥� He recalled the words of a wise cardinal who advised priests never to ask too many questions, urging them to, 鈥渋f someone stammers in shame, say: 鈥楩ine, I鈥檝e understood. Let鈥檚 move on.鈥�" Always forgive!, the 杏MAP导航 repeated, noting that forgiveness reflects God鈥檚 own heart.

鈥淚n 55 years as a priest, I have never denied absolution. I love confessing. I have always sought to forgive", he said. 

Invoking the Madunnuccia

Bringing his address to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis invoked the Virgin Mary's or "Madunnuccia" as she is known in the region, before leading the congregation in the recitation of the Marian Prayer.