Vatican City, Mar 31, 2008 / 08:45 am
This morning at the Vatican, the Holy Father received participants in the 26th General Chapter of the Salesians and called on them to continue to encourage passion for evangelization. Pope Benedict also emphasized the need to combat secularization by giving support and solid formation to families.
As the Pope spoke with the Salesian representatives, he described the cultural context of their meeting as “a period of great social, economic and political changes", of "more intense communication among peoples", and of "lively debate on the spiritual values that give meaning to existence".
Young people especially, said Benedict XVI, appeal to the Church with “their questions on fundamental problems,” these appeals “indicate the intense desire they nourish for full life, authentic love and constructive freedom. These are situations which cry out to the very heart of the Church and her capacity to announce Christ's Gospel today".
Reflecting on evangelization led the Holy Father to bring up the theme of the General Chapter, "Da mihi animas, cetera tolle". This theme should lead to the reawakening of apostolic passion “in each individual Salesian and in the entire congregation,” the Pontiff said. “This will help better to define the profile of Salesians, that they may become more aware of their identity as people consecrated 'for the glory of God'" and "of their pastoral commitment 'to the salvation of souls,'” the Pope added.