VATICAN CITY, 18 MAY 2008 (VIS) - At 4.30 p.m. today in Genova's Piazza della Vittoria, the Pope presided at a Eucharistic celebration attended by some 40,000 people.
Commenting on the readings of the Mass, Benedict XVI affirmed that today's Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity, "invites us to contemplate Him, the Lord, it invites us, in a certain sense, to climb up 'the mountain' as Moses did. Although at first sight this may seem to take us away from the world and its problems, in reality we discover that it is precisely by knowing God more closely that we also receive precious practical guidelines for life".
"Human beings", he said, "do not achieve fulfilment in absolute autonomy, by fooling themselves that they are God but, on the contrary, by recognising themselves as children, creatures open to and reaching out towards God and towards their fellows, in whose faces they see the image of the common Father.
"It is clear", he added, "that this concept of God and man lies at the foundations of a corresponding model of human community, and hence of society. As a model it predates any form of normative, juridical or institutional regulation and, I would say, any kind of cultural specification. It is a transversal model of the human family common to all civilisations; something which, from childhood, we Christians are wont to express by affirming that men are all children of God and, hence, brothers".
"In a society torn between globalisation and individualism, the Church is called to offer her witness of 'koinonia', of communion. This reality does not come 'from the roots' but is a mystery that, so to say, has its 'roots in heaven', in the One and Triune God".
Benedict XVI encouraged the faithful to take an interest in "spiritual and catechistic formation", which he described as "a 'substantial' formation, more necessary than ever in order to live a Christian vocation well in today's world". Addressing adults and young people, he said: "Cultivate a well-thought-out faith, one capable of engaging in profound dialogue with everyone, with our non-Catholic brethren, with non-Christians, with non-believers".
"With particular affection, I encourage seminarians and young people following vocational journeys: do not be afraid; rather, feel the attraction of definitive choices, of a serious and demanding formative journey".
The Pope concluded his homily by calling on the Church in Genoa to remain "united and missionary, so as to announce to everyone the joy of the faith and the beauty of being God's family. ... Look to the future with trust and seek to build it together, avoiding factional disputes".
Following Mass, the Holy Father travelled to Genoa's Christopher Columbus airport where he boarded his flight for Rome.
PV-ITALY/MASS/GENOA VIS 20080519 (460)
Commenting on the readings of the Mass, Benedict XVI affirmed that today's Solemnity of the Blessed Trinity, "invites us to contemplate Him, the Lord, it invites us, in a certain sense, to climb up 'the mountain' as Moses did. Although at first sight this may seem to take us away from the world and its problems, in reality we discover that it is precisely by knowing God more closely that we also receive precious practical guidelines for life".
"Human beings", he said, "do not achieve fulfilment in absolute autonomy, by fooling themselves that they are God but, on the contrary, by recognising themselves as children, creatures open to and reaching out towards God and towards their fellows, in whose faces they see the image of the common Father.
"It is clear", he added, "that this concept of God and man lies at the foundations of a corresponding model of human community, and hence of society. As a model it predates any form of normative, juridical or institutional regulation and, I would say, any kind of cultural specification. It is a transversal model of the human family common to all civilisations; something which, from childhood, we Christians are wont to express by affirming that men are all children of God and, hence, brothers".
"In a society torn between globalisation and individualism, the Church is called to offer her witness of 'koinonia', of communion. This reality does not come 'from the roots' but is a mystery that, so to say, has its 'roots in heaven', in the One and Triune God".
Benedict XVI encouraged the faithful to take an interest in "spiritual and catechistic formation", which he described as "a 'substantial' formation, more necessary than ever in order to live a Christian vocation well in today's world". Addressing adults and young people, he said: "Cultivate a well-thought-out faith, one capable of engaging in profound dialogue with everyone, with our non-Catholic brethren, with non-Christians, with non-believers".
"With particular affection, I encourage seminarians and young people following vocational journeys: do not be afraid; rather, feel the attraction of definitive choices, of a serious and demanding formative journey".
The Pope concluded his homily by calling on the Church in Genoa to remain "united and missionary, so as to announce to everyone the joy of the faith and the beauty of being God's family. ... Look to the future with trust and seek to build it together, avoiding factional disputes".
Following Mass, the Holy Father travelled to Genoa's Christopher Columbus airport where he boarded his flight for Rome.
PV-ITALY/MASS/GENOA VIS 20080519 (460)
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