VATICAN CITY, NOV 11, 2007 (VIS) - Benedict XVI dedicated his remarks before today's Angelus to the figure of St. Martin, bishop of Tours and "one of Europe's most famous and venerated saints," whose feast falls today.
The Pope reminded the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square of some of the main episodes in the life of the saint: his Baptism at the age of 20, his military career, his subsequent entry into the priesthood and monastic life and his famous act of charity when, still a soldier, he came across a beggar trembling with cold and, removing his own cape, he cut it in two giving half to the poor man.
"St. Martin's charitable gesture," the Pope explained, "is part of the same logic that brought Jesus to multiply the loaves for the hungry crowds, but above all to leave Himself as food for humanity in the Eucharist. ... This is the logic of sharing through which real love towards others is expressed."
"Only through joint commitment to sharing is it possible to respond to the great challenge of our time: that of building a world of peace and justice in which all men and women can live with dignity. This can come about if a model of real solidarity prevails in the world, one capable of ensuring that all the inhabitants of the planet have the necessary food, water, and medical care, but also work and energy resources as well as cultural wealth and scientific and technical knowledge."
ANG/ST. MARTIN/... VIS 20071112 (270)
The Pope reminded the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square of some of the main episodes in the life of the saint: his Baptism at the age of 20, his military career, his subsequent entry into the priesthood and monastic life and his famous act of charity when, still a soldier, he came across a beggar trembling with cold and, removing his own cape, he cut it in two giving half to the poor man.
"St. Martin's charitable gesture," the Pope explained, "is part of the same logic that brought Jesus to multiply the loaves for the hungry crowds, but above all to leave Himself as food for humanity in the Eucharist. ... This is the logic of sharing through which real love towards others is expressed."
"Only through joint commitment to sharing is it possible to respond to the great challenge of our time: that of building a world of peace and justice in which all men and women can live with dignity. This can come about if a model of real solidarity prevails in the world, one capable of ensuring that all the inhabitants of the planet have the necessary food, water, and medical care, but also work and energy resources as well as cultural wealth and scientific and technical knowledge."
ANG/ST. MARTIN/... VIS 20071112 (270)
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