Vatican City, 21 September 2014 (VIS) –
The final stage of Pope Francis' apostolic trip to Albania was the
visit to the Bethany Charitable Centre, approximately thirty
kilometres from Tirana. The centre, founded by the Italian Antonietta
Vitale in 1999, assists numerous disabled people and poor or
marginalised children, with the collaboration of a group of lay
volunteers.
“In places such as this we are all
confirmed in the faith; each one is helped in his or her belief,
because we see the faith visibly expressed in practical acts of
charity. We see how faith brings light and hope in situations of
grave hardship”, remarked Pope Francis in the address he gave in
the church in the Centre, dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. “This
faith, working through charity, dislodges the mountains of
indifference, of disbelief and of apathy. ... Through humble gestures
and simple acts of service to the least among us, the Good News that
Jesus is risen and lives among us is proclaimed”.
“This Centre, furthermore, shows that
it is possible to live together peacefully and fraternally as people
of different ethnicities and followers of various religious
confessions. Here differences do not prevent harmony, joy and peace,
but rather become opportunities for a greater mutual awareness and
understanding. … Each religious community expresses itself through
love and not violence, and is never ashamed of showing goodness! The
persons who nourish goodness in their heart, find that such goodness
leads to a peaceful conscience and to profound joy even in the midst
of difficulties and misunderstandings. Even when affronted, goodness
is never weak but rather, shows its strength by refusing to take
revenge. Goodness is its own reward and draws us closer to God, who
is the Supreme Good. … Goodness offers infinitely more than money,
which only deludes, because we have been created to receive the love
of God and to offer it, not to measure everything in terms of money
or power”.
With regard to the volunteers who
collaborate in the Centre, the Pope quoted one of the children in the
Bethany Centre, who said, “'For fifteen years now they have
sacrificed themselves joyfully out of love for Jesus and for us'.
This phrase reveals how making a gift of oneself for the love of
Jesus gives birth to joy and hope, and it also shows how serving
one’s brothers and sisters is transformed into an experience of
sharing God’s kingdom. These words … might seem paradoxical to
many in our world who are slow to grasp their meaning and who
frantically seek the key to existence in earthly riches, possessions
and amusements. What these people discover, instead, is estrangement
and bewilderment”.
The bishop of Rome emphasised that
instead, “the secret to a good life is found in loving and giving
oneself for love’s sake. From here comes the strength to 'sacrifice
oneself joyfully', and thus the most demanding work is transformed
into a source of a greater joy. In this way, there is no longer any
fear of making important choices in life, but they are seen for what
they are, namely, as the way to personal fulfilment in freedom”.
He concluded, “May your patron, St.
Anthony, accompany you along the way. I encourage you to continue
faithfully serving the Lord Jesus in the poor and abandoned, and to
pray to Him so that the hearts and minds of all may be opened to
goodness, to charity shown in works, which is the source of real and
authentic joy”.
The Pope greeted the children and
disabled persons present upon leaving the church, and then
transferred to Mother Teresa airport to depart for Rome. The aircraft
carrying the Holy Father landed shortly after 9.30 p.m.
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