August 19, 2011. (Romereports.com) Around 1,600 young religious waited for Benedict XVI in the monastery of El Escorial. Four of them accompanied the pope through the door to enter the 'Patio of the Kings'. The cardinal and archbishop of Madrid, Antonio Maria Rouco Varela thanked the pope for his visit with the religious of Spain.
Card. Antonio María Rouco Varela “This makes a special and endearing mark, appreciating the gift of this
meeting with His Holiness as a delicate sign of his paternity with
them.”
Cardinal Rouco Varela acknowledged the work already undertaken by these young volunteers and religious for the World Youth Day.
Card. Antonio María Rouco Varela “Without the religious, dear Holy Father, without their contribution,
esecially spiritually, World Youth Day would not be possible. They are
the best of the youth from the Church and society and, of course, from
Spain.”
The pope took the motto of World Youth Day and the life examples of some
of those attending the event to explain the vocation of religious life.
Benedict XVI “This Gospel radicalism means being 'rooted and built up in Christ, and
firm in the faith'. In the consecrated life, this means going to the
very root of the love of Jesus Christ with an undivided heart, putting
nothing ahead of this love and being completely devoted to him, the
Bridegroom, as were the Saints, like Rose of Lima and Rafael Arnáiz, the
young patrons of this World Youth Day.”
Benedict XVI also spoke about how a personal encounter with Jesus has a special impact on their lives and in society.
Benedict XVI “The personal encounter with Christ who nourishes your consecration
should be witnessed with full force in your life transformed.”
The pope explained that responding to the vocation is the clearest way to bear witness in society.
Benedict XVI “Dear sisters, this is the witness of holiness to which God is calling
you, as you follow Jesus Christ closely and unconditionally in
consecration, communion and mission. The Church needs your youthful
fidelity, rooted and built up in Christ. Thank you for your generous,
total and perpetual 'yes' to the call of the Loved One.”
In the monastery of San Lorenzo of El Escorial, lives a community of 28
Augustinian religious and has been a World Heritage Site since 1984.
August 19, 2011. (Romereports.com) Around 1,600 young religious waited for Benedict XVI in the monastery of El Escorial. Four of them accompanied the pope through the door to enter the 'Patio of the Kings'. The cardinal and archbishop of Madrid, Antonio Maria Rouco Varela thanked the pope for his visit with the religious of Spain.
