Pope to #Monastic Community "fraternal life in love is a sign that you are a house of communion where everyone can be welcomed like Christ in person." Full Text

LETTER OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
FOUNDER OF THE MONASTERY OF BOSE ON THE OCCASION OF THE
50th ANNIVERSARY OF THE MONASTIC COMMUNITY



Al Caro
Br. Enzo Bianchi
Founder of the Bose Monastery

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of this monastic community, I spiritually associate myself with your thanksgiving to the Lord for these years of fruitful presence in the Church and in society, through a peculiar form of community life arising in the wake of the guidelines of the Vatican Council II.

The simple beginning has become a significant mission that has fostered the renewal of religious life, interpreted as a Gospel lived in the great monastic tradition. Within this current of grace, your community has distinguished itself in its commitment to prepare the way for the unity of the Christian Churches, becoming a place of prayer, meeting and dialogue among Christians, in view of the communion of faith and of love for which Jesus prayed.

I would like to express my appreciation especially for the hospitality ministry that distinguishes you: welcoming everyone without distinction, believers and non-believers; attentive listening to those who are looking for comparison and consolation; the service of discernment for young people in search of their role in society. The fruits produced by your work of faith and love are many, and the most known only to the Lord.

Faced with contemporary challenges, I encourage you to be more and more witnesses of evangelical love first of all among you, living the authentic fraternal communion that represents the sign, before the Church and society, of the life to which you are called. The elders of the community encourage young people and young people to take care of the elderly, precious treasure of wisdom and perseverance. Thus you can live with greatness of heart even with others, especially with the poorest of hope. Continue to be attentive to the little ones, to the last ones, to the pilgrims and foreigners: they are the most fragile members of the body of Jesus.

This anniversary date is a moment of grace for each of you, a time to meditate more intensely on your call and on your mission, entrusting you to the Holy Spirit to have firmness and courage in confidently continuing the journey. I accompany you with prayer so that you may persevere in your initial intuition: the sobriety of your life may be a shining witness to the radicalism of the Gospel; fraternal life in love is a sign that you are a house of communion where everyone can be welcomed like Christ in person.

With these sentiments, as I ask you to pray for me, I cordially send the Apostolic Blessing to you, to the Prior and to the entire monastic community, as well as to guests, friends and all those who share your charism.

Fraternally

From the Vatican, 11 November 2018



Francis