March 1, 2010. To mark the end of the Lenten spiritual exercises, Pope Benedict XVI addressed the Roman Curia, by first thanking Father Enrico dal Covolo, who led the meditations.
Benedict XVI
“In behalf of us all, I want to thank Father Enrico from the ‘passionate and very personal way he guided us in the path towards Christ.”
The theme of this year’s meditations, was “Lessons from God and the Church on the Priestly Vocation.”
The 17 meditations started with thoughts of St. Augustine. Followed by a meditation on the patron saint of priests, the Cure of Ars; and closing with a discussion on the Virgin Mary, as a means of understanding vocation.
In his impromptu address, the pope said the Virgin Mary shows what it is to have a “listening heart” which he says sums up the entire Christian vision of humanity.
Benedict XVI
“Man is not perfect. Man needs to listen to others but mostly, to the Other with a capital letter, God. Only in this way oes one know himself, only in this way does he become himself.”
In his final remarks, Benedict XVI thanked Father Covolo for also giving a voice to the 5 so called “emblem priests” beginning with Ignatius of Antioch to the venerable John Paul II.
The pope said the Lenten spiritual exercises have renewed their courage and they will now face their mission.
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