VATICAN CITY, FEB 9, 2004 (VIS) - Today John Paul II received participants in the ninth General Chapter of the Order of the Holy Savior of St. Bridget, headed by Mother Tekla Famiglietti who was just confirmed as general abbess for another six-year term.
After recalling the theme of the assembly, "Going back to our roots.for a renewal of religious life," the Pope said that "all authentic renewal requires a wise recovery of the spirit of our roots in order to turn the fundamental charism into apostolic choices appropriate for the times. For this reason, faithful to the special monastic vocation that distinguishes the Brigittine family, you are concerned with emphasizing the absolute primacy that God must occupy in the life of every one of you and your communities. Above all you are called to be 'specialists of the spirit,' contemplative souls full of the fire of divine love, and constantly dedicated to prayer."
"Only if you are 'specialists of the spirit' like St. Bridget will you be able to faithfully instill in this age the charism of evangelical firmness and unity, inherited from Blessed Elizabeth Hesselblad. Through the hospitality and warm welcome that you offer in your houses, you will be able to bear witness to the merciful love of God toward human beings and the desire for unity that Christ left his disciples."
The Holy Father asked the nuns to be "tireless builders everywhere of 'the great ecumenism of holiness'. Your ecumenical activity," he concluded, "is especially appreciated because it is carried out in Northern Europe where there are few Catholics and it is important to promote dialogue with our brothers and sisters of other Christian confession."
AC/ECUMENISM/BRIGITTINES VIS 20040209 (290)
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