Apr 20, 2009 / 08:43 am
On Saturday, some 3,000 members of the Franciscan family met at Castel Gandalfo with Pope Benedict to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Pope Innocent III approving their founder's first rule. The Holy Father called upon the group to seek personal conversion, and then, cooperating with the pastors of the Church, work to "make her face, as the bride of Christ, ever more beautiful."
The Franciscans meeting with the Pope had just completed the "Chapter of Mats," which celebrated the 800th anniversary of the approval of the first rule. The chapter was held in Assisi, Italy, where St. Francis drew together the first band of his followers to radically follow Christ.
Addressing the Franciscans on Saturday, Pope Benedict pointed out how the original band of 12 friars who first followed St. Francis of Assisi, has over the centuries become "a multitude scattered throughout the world. ... And I, as Pastor of the universal Church, wish to thank [God] for the precious gift you yourselves represent for all Christian people.
"From the brook that sprang up at the base of Mount Subasio, a great river was born which has made a notable contribution to the universal spread of the Gospel."