MESSAGE TO MINISTERS OF THE SICK OF ST. CAMILLUS

VATICAN CITY, SEP 17, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II wrote a message to Sister Tomasina Gheduzzi, superior general of the Congregation of the Religious Ministers of the Sick of St. Camillus, and to the sisters who are celebrating their general chapter in Rome. The message, dated September 12, 2002, was published today.

Commenting on the theme of the general chapter entitled "Toward a new rule of life", the Holy Father writes: "The novelty that interests you is certainly not that of those who want to change the original orientation but, on the contrary, the fruit of rigorous and passionate research on the sources, a fruit that aspires to be, if it is possible, ever more faithful to its roots."

Afterward the Pope recalls Blessed Maria Domenica Brun Barbantini, foundress of the congregation, and he highlights that from the small group of women that wanted to be called "nurse oblates ... an Institute has developed today that is present in nine countries and three continents."

To be faithful to the vocation is "essential," continues John Paul II, "to feed life itself with prayer and especially ... with the Eucharist ... following the glowing example of St. Camillus de Lellis" and he invites the religious to "give witness to charity" with "incessant effort."

"Contemporary humanity," he writes, "exhausted by new and old misery and poverty, needs more than ever to experience the love and mercy of God. It needs to feel loved in order to accept life. You work in the midst of serious attacks on life ... Keep on working with generosity in this apostolic 'front'."

At the end, the Pope observes that in order to carry out that mission a "far-reaching" formation is necessary and that the general chapter has emphasized that priority. He concludes by reiterating the need to "foster the spiritual life ... the apostolic, professional and cultural dimension, as well as that of the specific charisma".

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