V. In his meeting with the members of the Fraternidad de Agrupacionesi of Thomas Aquinas, the Holy Father underlined that their apostolate to foster education is essential to the growth of spiritual charity.
C. Rubini CTC, Vatican News
The meeting marked the sixtieth anniversary of this international lay association with pontifical recognition. Addressing them, the Pope underlined the desire of the founder of their association (FASTA) to contribute to the lessons that came from the Second Vatican Council.
A fellowship filled with the message of the Council
The Pope said that one of the novelties of the Council is the awareness of the right and duty of the laity who become children of God through baptism in the mission of evangelization. With this in mind, the Holy Father indicated that it is wonderful how the Holy Spirit finds his way into all human realities through the talents he inspires in Jesus’ disciples.
The Pope went on to say that we see how their communities have responded to the Council’s messages and established different types of educational institutions such as schools, colleges and universities in different parts of the world, planning various projects for the evangelization of culture, youth and families.
the match
Pope Francis said the historical period in which their intercessor, St. Thomas Aquinas lived, also had its challenges. It was the time to discover the thoughts of the Greek philosopher Aristotle. Some were reluctant to study Aristotle’s works for fear that his pagan thought would conflict with Christian belief. However, V. found that most of Aristotle’s works were consistent with Christian revelation. Pope Francis said that Thomas was able to show that there is a natural harmony between faith and reason. The Pope underlined that this richness is necessary to overcome fundamentalism, fanaticism and ideologies.
His Relationship with God
Another testimony that V. Thomas Aquinas left us was his deep relationship with God, worshiping the real presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Pope Francis pointed out that his spirituality helped him to discover the mystery of God and that his talents shaped his writings. Emphasizing that it is very important to reveal the Lord’s presence in the world and events, the Holy Father reminded us that it requires prayer and uniting our hearts with the heart of Jesus in the church.
Live Siddhi
Living their siddhi, the Pope reminded them not to forget that teaching is precisely one of the spiritual works of mercy as they realize it through education. “Education gives meaning and explains every aspect of human life. It does not end with the sharing of information or the development of skills, but, as the etymology of the term reveals, it brings out the best in each person”, the Pope continued.
The Holy Father, who expressed his desire to entrust every member of FASTA to the protection of the Mother, remembering the motherly honor seen in the apostolic work of the founder of their organization, Brother Anibal, concluded by saying that Mary, with divine tenderness, teaches us to be evangelizers of culture, youth and families.