The Role of the Spiritual Movements

Stuttgart, May 6, 2004* Dearest brothers and sisters, in this important Meeting, which I’m really happy to be part of, I have the task today to talk about the role and the fellowship of spiritual Movements, my commitment for this and the hope that I have in them. The Movements have authoritatively been considered as a great spiritual resource and “motive for hope” for the Church and humanity , that is, as one of the “gifts of the Holy Spirit for these our times.” ... Text Audio in italian  * Talk addressed at a meeting of leaders of Christian Movements and Church Communities

June 24, 1958 The saints are great men and women who, having seen their greatness in the Lord,risk for God, as his children, everything that is theirs.They give, demanding nothing. They give their life, their soul, their joy, every earthly bond, every richness.Free and alone thrust towards the infinite, they wait for Love to bring them into the eternal kingdom; but, already in this life, they feel their hearts fill with love, true love, the only love that satisfies, that consoles, that love which shatters the eyelids of the soul and gives new tears.Ah, no one knows who a saint is! He or she has given and now receives, and an endless flow passes between heaven and earth, joins earth to heaven, and filters from the depths rare ecstasy, celestial sap that does not stop at the saint, but flows over the tired, the mortal, the blind and paralysed in soul, and breaks through and refreshes, comforts and attracts and saves. If you want to know about love, ask a saint.

Rome, April 25, 2001 Commentary of the Word of Life: Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him (John 14:23). Jesus is giving his powerful farewell address to his apostles, and he has just assured them, among other things, that they will see him again because he will reveal himself to those who love him. Then Jude asks him why he intends to reveal himself only to them and not to everyone. The disciple was hoping for a great public manifestation of Jesus, one that would change the course of history and that would be, in his opinion, more effective for the salvation of the world. In fact, the apostles thought of Jesus as the long-awaited prophet of the last days who would reveal himself to everyone as the King of Israel. Putting himself at the head of the people of God, he would establish at once and for all time the Kingdom of