To priests from local churches who are in Italy
Saturday 1 May 2010
The National Presidency of the Italian Catholic Action
 

Dear Priests,

On the occasion of the Year of the Priesthood, we would like to extend to you our profound gratitude and support. The Italian Catholic Action would like to express and renew its commitment to share the joys and anxieties, which are characterizing your ministry in this moment in history, with you.

In its rich tradition and in its everyday life, our Association has always maintained, and still does, a deep-rooted communion between lay people and priests. This communion is nurtured by a spiritual friendship and is sustained through a sense of corresponsibility in the service given towards the Church's mission.

Today, this is even more necessary for the future of the Churches in our countries so that we may help men and women to love the Lord of history ever more. We need to support our children, our youth and our adults to understand God's will, which is particularly distinctive for every person and which today goes through so many varied experiences: from indifference to anxiety, from a profound search to the enjoyment of that which is marvellous, from a resolute desire to be a follower to a generous and active solidarity...

This situation calls for a more authentic and profound encounter with the Gospel. Thus, we would like to renew Catholic Action's availability to make our Churches a place, where the Gospel moulds people's lives. We believe that, today, this is the most pressing need in pastoral work: that of announcing, beyond space and time, the salvation brought about by Jesus Christ. We urge our priests, wherever they are, to be witnesses of that unity, which can speak of the Gospel to people today, and of that communion, which is a promise and a commitment for all. In our times, when solitude, mistrust and individualism prevail, this unity gives us back that peace and serenity, for which every woman and man craves.

The daily living and working conditions of the laity today have undergone drastic changes. Instability as regards work, the fast rhythm of our lives and greater mobility are just a few examples which are having a great influence even on our relations. In view of all this, it is even more necessary to strengthen the vital links between priests and laity giving special attention to human relations.

Together with you we would like to enrich the lives of our Christian communities by helping men and women of our times to experience the beauty and tenderness of God's love. Together with you, we would like to review our programmes, paying special attention to authentic relations. With you, we would like to propose formation experiences which are relevant to our daily lives and which help the Christian faith regain its popularity. With the help of spiritual direction, we need to be able to discern; to be guided and motivated towards an intense sacramental life with special love for the Eucharist and to be helped to grow in a well-founded relation with the Lord nurtured through daily prayer. Sustained and accompanied by your priestly experience, we want to be present and to dedicate our energy, in the different life situations which call for our presence as lay people. We want to discover as to how we can be credible witnesses of respectful relations with others. Guided by your ministry, we wish to be sensitive to the needs of our Christian communities not only by strengthening our ability to listen and dialogue but by being present and by giving our support, in an evangelical way, in public life and in circumstances where people face emotional difficulties or find themselves in pitiful situations. Thus, we will be dedicating ourselves in the service of the Church's mission more authentically.

Our relations with the priest assistants, whom the Church assigns to Catholic Action and which is Catholic Action's distinguishing mark, is in itself enough evidence of a deep link which, above all, is a link of love. We hope and pray that your daily faithful and creative paternal care, in preparing tomorrow's world, may bear more fruit.

With infinite gratitude and deep love.