ASSISI, Italy, JULY 25, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI gave St. Francis back to us, in his original truth and in his ever-relevant message, said Cardinal Attilio Nicora.
Cardinal Nicora, legate for the two papal basilicas in Assisi, wrote this in the preface of a compilation of discourses given by the Pope in Assisi last June 17.
The Holy Father opened up the teachings of St. Francis, the cardinal explained, "by letting his familiarity with the great saint of Assisi show in a moving way, rendering his teaching as a witness, and inviting us to a passionate rediscovery."
"The encounter with Christ and following him made Francis a new man," he added. "If we forget that he lived entirely in Jesus and for Jesus -- and consequently his efforts to live like him in the pure form of the Gospel -- we will simply not understand who Francis is.
The cardinal affirmed that this Christocentric identity keeps the figure of the saint of Assisi from being overly exalted, without detracting from "his multifaceted originality."
"Rather," continued the 70-year-old Italian prelate, "we find the major traits that history, piety and art have celebrated: love for the Church, the Pope, the bishops, the priests who minister the Eucharist; a trusting openness to everyone, sharing the minority status of the marginalized; the proclamation of forgiveness to all; dialogue with non-Christians, living between passion for the truth of Jesus and discreet and patient respect toward others; the transparency of a heart that sees God in all creatures and includes them in the song of thanksgiving and praise."
The cardinal continued: "The intense day Benedict XVI lived in Assisi last June 17 represented a special way of expressing the charisma of the Successors of Peter, that is, of confirming their brothers in the faith -- not only putting forth clearly and completely the truths of the Christian faith, but of helping to understand coherently, with a vision of faith, the events and figures of contemporary existence and of Church history, that would otherwise lose their genuine meaning."
ZE07072505 - 2007-07-25