November 11, 2011. (Romereports.com) The last session for the congress of volunteers organized by the Vatican was this meeting with Benedict XVI. The pope thanked Cardinal Robert Sarah for organizing this conference during the European Year of Volunteering. Benedict XVI said that volunteer work is not only an expression of goodwill, but responds to a personal encounter with Christ.

Benedict XVI
“Christ’s grace helps us to discover within ourselves a human desire for solidarity and a fundamental vocation to love.”

Benedict XVI said Catholic volunteer organizations can not meet all the needs that arise, but this reality should not discourage them in their work for others.

Benedict XVI
“The little that we manage to do to relieve human needs can be seen as a good seed that will grow and bear much fruit; it is a sign of Christ’s presence and love which, like the tree in the Gospel, grows to give shelter, protection and strength to all who require it.”

The meeting was attended by some 160 representatives from the major Catholic volunteer organizations from 25 countries.


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