杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

杏MAP导航 Francis on Wednesday sent a mesage to participants of the Second International Congress of Brotherhoods and Popular Piety, held in Seville on Wednesday December 4th. He opened his message by recognising the unique devotion of the people of Seville, who 鈥渓ive with fervour the expressions of their faith until they become integral to their social fabric.鈥� This vibrant faith, the 杏MAP导航 noted, is not only a personal journey but a communal one that shapes the life of the Church.

A journey at the heart of the mission

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to emphasise that the true effectiveness of popular piety lies in its power to bring Christ into the world. He quoted  Saint Manuel González, who described the Christian life as 鈥渁 round-trip journey, which begins, the outward journey, in Christ and ends in the people, and begins in the people, the return journey, and ends in Christ.鈥� This journey, he explained, represents the heart of the Church鈥檚 mission to bring people closer to God.

The 杏MAP导航 also emphasised the unity found in the diversity of these devotions. He described how 鈥渕any peculiarities, ministries, and tasks, with perseverance and patience, harmonise.鈥� Whether carrying a cross or simply accompanying in prayer, the 杏MAP导航 noted, 鈥渋t is the same fervour, the same love,鈥� creating a collective harmony that reveals the 鈥渂eauty of Christ.鈥� He then called on the faithful to continue taking Christ into the streets, so that all may 鈥渂ehold His beauty.鈥�

Crazy with love for God

Speaking then of the鈥渢ears shed鈥� during moments of devotion,  the 杏MAP导航 called these acts of sorrow and love 鈥渃razy with love for God,鈥� which may seem incomprehensible to some but are a powerful witness of faith. He quoted Saint Manuel once more, when he said, 鈥渢he people [...] have hunger for truth, affection, well-being, justice, heaven, and perhaps, without realising it, for God.鈥� The 杏MAP导航 urged the faithful to respond to this hunger through acts of charity, bringing God鈥檚 tenderness to those who suffer in body and soul.

Bringing his message to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged the participants  in the Congress to continue their pilgrimage, following the example of the Good Shepherd. 鈥淲hether carrying the cross or under the mantle of His blessed Mother,鈥� he said, 鈥渨e feel that we are the field of God, the seed of the kingdom", adding that these devotions are not just rituals but ways to bring Christ鈥檚 love into the world.