(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 06.28.2024).
- On the morning of Friday, June 28, the Pope received in audience, in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, the participants in the General Chapter of the Society of the Divine Word (Verbites). This is a Dutch-origin missionary congregation with 5,833 members. We offer below the English translation of the Pope’s words.
*** Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome! A special greeting to the Superior General, who has just been appointed Archbishop of Ende in Indonesia. You have chosen a significant theme for your General Chapter: “Your Light Must Shine Before Others (Mt 5:16): Faithful and Creative Disciples in a Wounded World.” A Chapter is a pause for reflection on a Congregation’s charism and mission.
Since you are the Society of the Divine Word, in these days you are returning to the source of your identity: the Lord Jesus, the Word of salvation. God’s Word generates, gives life, inspires, and motivates; it is the focal point of your mission. That Word, which took flesh in Jesus, revealed the face of the Father and his merciful love.
In this way, the Word incarnate became the light of the world, who then commanded his disciples, “Let your light shine before others” (Mt 5:16). How does this happen? By being with him and going forth, abiding in his love and bearing witness to him. Evangelization is only possible through this way, and “demands familiarity with God’s word” (Evangelii Gaudium, 175).
T.