SILVESTRINE BENEDICTINE FATHERS: ASPIRE TO SANCTITY

VATICAN CITY, SEP 8, 2001 (VIS) - Today, in the Apostolic Palace of Castelgandolfo, John Paul II received the Silvestrine Benedictine Fathers, on the occasion of their General Chapter, on the theme "Celebrate the memory, celebrate the hope."

John Paul II recalled that the Congregation had celebrated seven centuries of history: In the middle of the 19th century it brought the Benedictine Rule to Asia for the first time and in the last hundred years new foundations have been created in the United States, Australia, India, and recently the Philippines. "May God bless," the Holy Father said, "in particular, your project of further foundations in Europe and Africa, in order that your spirituality may be spread for His glory and the good of souls."

"Strive that sanctity be, therefore, the first and fundamental objective of your personal and community life," John Paul continued.

The Pope went on to affirm that a monastic family "such as yours, is called today to give a strong contribution above all to the contemplative dimension of personal and ecclesial life. ... Be, therefore, dear brethren, ardent contemplators" of the Holy Face of Christ, "in order that the message of Jesus shine in your existence. Draw renewed vigor from unceasing prayer in order to 'cast out into the deep' without fear, following, according to your charism, the way of total dedication to Christ and His Gospel."

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