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Skriven 2006-10-18 07:06:36 av Marc Lewis (1:396/45)
Ärende: Vatican Information Service - Press Release
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                               VIS-Press releases

FAITHFUL TO THE SPIRIT OF ST. PIO OF PIETRELCINA

VATICAN CITY, OCT 14, 2006 (VIS) - In St. Peter's Square at midday today,
Benedict XVI met with 30,000 people from Italy and other countries who have
come together to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the foundation, by St. Pio
of Pietrelcina, of the hospital, "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza" (House for
Relief of Suffering).

Among those present were the Capuchin Fathers of the Shrine of St. Mary of
Grace and of the new church dedicated to St. Pio, located in San Giovanni
Rotondo in southern Italy, as well as directors, doctors and nurses of the
hospital, and members of various prayer groups.

In his address to them, the Pope called on the Capuchin Fathers, "spurred on
and supported by the example of Padre Pio and by his intercession," to make
every effort "to imitate him and help everyone to live a profound spiritual
experience focussed on the contemplation of the Crucified Christ, Who reveals
and mediates the merciful love of the heavenly Father.

"From the heart of Padre Pio, which burned with charity, arose the House for
Relief of Suffering," he added. The saint "chose to call it 'house' so that
sick people, especially the poor, might feel at ease there, ... and might find
'relief' from their suffering ... thanks to two converging forces: prayer and
science. ... Faith in God and scientific research work together towards the
same aim, that can best be expressed in Jesus' own words: 'that they may have
life, and have it abundantly.' Yes, God is life, and wants man to be healed
from all of the evils of the body and of the spirit."

The Holy Father then went on to recall how the prayer groups came into being
following a call to pray for peace made by Pope Pius XII in 1942 during World
War II. "Padre Pio," he said, "encouraged his spiritual children to give a
prompt response to the appeal of the Vicar of Christ."

"The prayer groups have spread to parishes, convents and hospitals, and today
number more than 3,000 with a presence on all the continents. ... Your prayer,
as it says in your Statutes, is 'with the Church, through the Church and in the
Church,' to be experienced always in full accordance with the Magisterium, with
ready obedience to the Pope and the bishops, under the guidance of a priest
appointed by the bishop. The Statues also prescribe another vital commitment of
the prayer groups: 'effective and assiduous charity to bring relief to the
suffering and the needy as a practical demonstration of charity towards God.'
Here again is the combination prayer and charity, God and our fellow man."

Benedict XVI concluded his remarks by thanking the faithful for "the support
you give me with your prayers. May the Lord repay you! At the same time, for
the community of the House for Relief of Suffering I ask the special grace of
remaining ever faithful to the spirit and project of Padre Pio."
AC/ST. PIO/... VIS 061016 (510)

SUMMARY

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