Cotonou, Benin, Nov 19, 2011 / 21:28 pm
Pope Benedict XVI spoke of his prayer life as he encouraged the children of Benin in their love for Christ.
“The day of my First Holy Communion was one of the most beautiful days of my life. It is the same for you, isn’t it? And why is that?” asked the Pope.
“It’s not only because of our nice clothes or the gifts we receive, nor even because of the parties! It is above all because, that day, we receive Jesus in the Eucharist for the first time!”
The Pope addressed over 800 children gathered at St. Rita’s parish in Benin’s largest city, Cotonou. His talk followed a visit to a nearby shelter for abandoned, sick and malnourished children run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. There the children sang and danced for Pope Benedict.