Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Czestochowa (Agenzia Fides) - “Here I am Lord” (Is 6:8) is the theme of the spiritual exercises for the leaders of the diocesan Caritas and other Church agencies on the European continent, which ends today, 3 December, at the Marian Shrine of Jasna Góra in Częstochowa, Poland.
According to information received by Fides, the spiritual encounter began on 29 November, attended by 320 leaders of Catholic charitable organizations in Europe, five Cardinals and about 50 Bishops, from 140 dioceses in 26 nations. Also present was the new Cardinal Robert Sarah, recently appointed President of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”. The meditations were proposed by Dutch Abbess, Theresa Brenninkmeijer, of the Cistercian Order.
“We Christians have a special tradition. Importantly, we have the word of Christ, but also a tradition of serving the poor. In the history of the Church we have many examples of saints, like Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who teach us how to practise the commandment of love thy neighbour,” Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council “Cor unum” from 1995 to 2010, told Fides. “Speaking of Caritas,” added Cardinal Cordes, “you need to look at the formation of the heart. And in a place like Jasna Góra we look to the Heart of Mary, which encompasses formation not only according to a certain human sensitivity, but the formation of a heart that awaits all from God.” (MF/SL) (Agenzia Fides 03/12/2010)
