LIVE WITH RENEWED VIGOR THE FRANCISCAN CHARISM

VATICAN CITY, JUL 7, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed 250 participants in the General Chapter of the Friars Minor Capuchins. In his speech to them, he remarked that their "religious family, from the very beginning, has been marked by the commitment - the legacy of St. Francis - to a great love for the Church and a filial obedience and fidelity to her pastors."
He stated that among "the multiple gifts with which the Holy Spirit has enriched the Church are the single religious institutes.. ... In following Christ and adhering to His person, what merits being placed into special evidence today is 'the fidelity to the founding charism, and subsequent spiritual heritage of each institute'."

Referring in particular to the Franciscans, the Pope stated: "Two aspects in particular you must always bear in mind: in the first place, the priority and centrality, as St. Francis wished, of Gospel fraternity, which marks you as friars and makes you an Order of brothers." He underlined what is "typical of the Franciscan-Capuchin charism: the spirit of prayer, obedience and simplicity, poverty and austerity, contact with the people, closeness to the needy, zeal for evangelization, joy and Christian hope."
"In the second place," John Paul II continued, "you see the opportunity to underline the coherent, practical and concrete behavior of St. Francis. It is necessary to turn to deeds, to values lived, to the method of direct witnessing. You know well the criteria your founder loved to refer to: 'plus exemplo quam verbo', with example more than words."

In closing remarks, he expressed his "esteem and gratitude" for the Franciscan witness throughout the world.

AC;GENERAL CHAPTER;...;FRANCISCANS;VIS;20000707;Word: 280;