VATICAN CITY, NOV 29, 2004 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father received 3,000 members of the Pope John XXXIII Community, with its founder and head, Fr. Oreste Benzi, on the 30th anniversary of its foundation.
After recalling that a few months ago the community was recognized as a private international association of faithful of pontifical law and that it is active in Italy and twenty other countries, the Pope said that since Fr. Oreste "opened the first family house, this community ... has been known for its unique service to the needy and for its style of authentic generosity with the objective of providing love and affection to those who have no family for different reasons."
John Paul II said that charitable activity "assumes its full value when it is based on the primate of love of God. In order to truly love our brothers and sisters it is necessary to love God. Therefore, you dedicate your time opportunely to prayer, listening to the Word of God and you base your whole life on Christ."
"Continue to care for your spiritual formation and tireless recourse to the sacraments. In particular, make the Eucharist the center of your family houses and of all your social and educational activities. In this Year dedicated to the Sacrament of the Altar, revive the contemplative ardor and love for the divine Redeemer who in the Eucharist becomes food of eternal life for us. Get your spiritual energy from Him in order to be tireless workers of His Gospel, bearing witness to compassion for all those who live in conditions of discomfort or abandonment."
AC/.../COMMUNITY JOHN XXIII/... VIS 20041129 (270)
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