50TH ANNIVERSARY MISSIONARY PRIESTS OF THE REGALITY OF CHRIST

VATICAN CITY, JUL 8, 2003 (VIS) - This morning in the Clementine Hall the Holy Father received members of the secular institute "Missionary Priests of the Regality of Christ" who are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the institute's founding this year.

The Pope recalled that the secular institute, founded by Fr. Agostino Gemelli, "is characterized by priestly fraternity in which everyone, faithful to God's plan, consecrates themselves to the service of the Church. ... Continue on this challenging but liberating ascetic and apostolic journey, giving thanks to the Lord every day for the priestly ministry, gift and mystery of divine love."

"Keep the charisma of your founder alive," he continued, "adapting it to the social and cultural situations of our time. Your service to the Church will be fruitful if you keep in constant contact with Christ in prayer, and if you cultivate ever more communion with the Bishop and with the college of priests of the dioceses to which you belong. ... May your desire for evangelization lead you to carry out an apostolate that knows no boundaries."

John Paul II concluded by urging the missionary priests to "aim toward holiness as a priority in your life, in order to be witnesses and teachers of evangelical perfection. The spirituality of the missionaries of the Regality of Christ, which is secular and presbyterial, represents a significant patrimony to be invested for the good of the Church."

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