Vatican
City, 11 June 2013
(VIS) – This morning the Holy Father sent the following audio
message to the Italian Association for the Blind and Visually
Impaired (Unione Italiana Ciechi e Ipovedenti) on the occasion of
their summer program for around 75, mostly elderly, persons at their Le
Torri Centre in Tirrenia, Italy, specializing in rehabilitation
studies and vacations.
“I
know that … some of you wanted to come to Rome,” the Pope said.
“Thanks to modern technology, I can come to you! Thank you for your
appreciation, for your affection, and especially for your prayers.”
“The
Gospels tell us that Jesus had a particular care for the blind.
Besides other sick persons, He healed many blind persons. But the
healing of a visually impaired person has special symbolic meaning:
it represents the gift of faith. It is a sign that concerns us all
because we all need the light of faith to walk along the path of
life. This is why Baptism, which is the first Sacrament of Faith, was
also called 'illumination' in antiquity.”
“I
ask the Lord to renew the gift of faith in each of you, so that your
spirits may alway have God's light, the light of love that makes
sense of our lives, illuminates it, gives us hope, and makes us good
and available to our brothers and sisters.”
“I
also wish the best for your association. … Always spread a culture
of encounter, solidarity, and hospitality towards persons with
disabilities, not just asking for the proper social services but also
encouraging their active participation in society.”
“I
entrust you all to the protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our
Mother. I ask you to pray for me and for my service to the Church and
I wholeheartedly bless you, together with your loved ones.”
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