DIRECT YOUR ENTIRE EXISTENCE TO THE CONTEMPLATION OF GOD

VATICAN CITY, MAY 3, 2001 (VIS) - This morning John Paul II received the community of Rome's International College of St. Bernard in the City, opened and run by Cistercians who welcome priests and religious of various nationalities who are completing their studies in Rome.

Referring to the monastic spirituality proper to the College, the Pope expressed the hope that each student "may draw abundantly from this source, which has nourished many experiences of consecrated life over the centuries."

"In the school of Cistercian spirituality," he told the students, "you are urged to direct your entire existence to the contemplation of God, according to the counsel of St. Benedict: 'Prefer nothing to the love of Christ'. ... Only from Him, in fact, will you be able to draw the strength necessary for the apostolate which will be entrusted to you by your superiors when you return to your respective countries and dioceses."

The Holy Father said he hoped that the College of St. Bernard will be "a Cenacle: a place where, constant to and united in prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, you may be one heart and one soul. May it be a school of fraternal life where, as St. Benedict taught, each anticipates the other in showing respect, supporting each other's weaknesses with great reciprocal patience. May no one seek his own profit but rather that of others, loving his neighbor with chaste love. This style of life, this experience of communion between priests and religious will be of great use to you in your respective communities when, having concluded your time of formation here in Rome, you undertake the work to which the Holy Spirit calls you."

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