Pope Francis says "Those who knock on the door of our churches and our environments often look first of all for a welcoming smile, looking for open arms and hands..."
SPEECH OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
TO THE FAITHFUL OF THE PARISHES OF RHO (MILAN)
Paul VI Hall
Saturday, March 25, 2023
________________________________________
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
I greet all of you and in particular Archbishop Michele Di Tolve, your parish priest, whom I have known for many years and whom I thank for his words. I met him as soon as he was appointed cardinal: I had gone to visit a cousin of mine and she told me about an exceptional assistant pastor they had there, "Look, that priest works!" - "Oh yes? Let me know, but don't tell him I'm a cardinal” – “No, I won't tell”. I took off my ring, we arrived at the oratory and he went from one side to the other, he moved like a dancer with everyone… So I met him. And so he remained throughout his life: someone who knows how to move, doesn't wait for the sheep to come looking for him. And as rector of the seminary he did a lot of good, to the boys preparing for the priesthood, a lot of good. Now, as parish priest, he does a lot of good and for this I would like to bear witness to all of you and to thank for what he is doing: thank you, thank you!
Some time ago I told Fr Michele that I wanted to meet you, and today you have satisfied me: thank you for coming! Last summer, calling Monsignor Michele on the phone during your community holidays, I was also able to greet some of the group and I felt the joy and enthusiasm of your being together.
Today you have come in large numbers, and I know you have also made some sacrifices so that we can all be there and not exclude anyone. You represent many different realities of your parishes and bring with you, in your hearts, the brothers and sisters who for various reasons were unable to come, thank you! Bring together different and complementary generations, backgrounds, services and gifts, and this is beautiful. The Church is this! Indeed, the Church is a body made up of many members, all at the service of one another and all animated by the same love: that of Christ (see 1 Cor 12:12). And when the Church is not like that, it falls into worldliness, it falls into clericalism which is a very bad thing. Always remember that it is with the beauty and richness of this variety and this communion that you bring Jesus to the world: this is the most powerful means by which you proclaim the Gospel, even before words!
Some of the groups present this year are celebrating a special anniversary. Together we thank the Lord, whose humble servants we are all, for the good he has done and continues to do through us, and we renew our commitment to be generous in the gift of ourselves and docile to his will. Mons. Michele, in his greeting, recalled, among other things, precisely the words I pronounced ten years ago, on March 13, 2013. As soon as I was elected Bishop of Rome, looking out for the first time in the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, I said: «Let us begin this journey together: Bishop and people [...]. A path of brotherhood, of love, of trust among us". It is the desire that has accompanied me for all these years, and it is the wish that I also wish you, with your bishop. I am the bishop of Rome, but you have another. After you!
I urge you to walk together as brothers and sisters, because brotherhood makes people freer and happier. The world doesn't end with ourselves, please! The community doesn't make itself in front of the mirror, the mirror and I, no! We truly discover the world only when we walk together with others, day by day. This is why the Parish is important: because it is the place where, in following Jesus, we meet, get to know each other, enrich one another, people of different generations and different cultural and social conditions, all with something unique to give and to receive. Let's see in our cities what happens when we forget this: the horizon shrinks and we all become more alone.
Walk together, walk with love. May love among you always take first place (cf. 1 Cor 13:1-13; Enc. Fratelli tutti, 92). Through educational activities, kindergarten, groups, the activities of the Oratory, attention to the poor and the least, to elderly and lonely people, engaged couples and young families, through the musical band and sports activities , you prepare the ground, sometimes a little dry and hard, to sow love and transform the territory in which you live into a luxuriant countryside, rich in the good fruits of the Gospel. In particular, loving means "widening the circle", building unity in trust and acceptance, working together and always seeking common points and opportunities to form community, rather than reasons for division (cf. Fratelli tutti, 97). Respect the differences.
You know, I was a parish priest for six years, and I carry that experience in my heart. I liked Mass with children... Just think that in that neighborhood there were many, and at Sunday Mass there were 200, 280 children - in those neighborhoods, families have four-five children - and I always started to converse with them. Once - it was Pentecost - I used to say: "Today is Pentecost!". The children answered: “Yes, father, yes”. “In short, it is the Holy Spirit… Who among you knows who the Holy Spirit is?”. And some raised their hands. "Okay, you!" – “The paralytic!”. "What did you say?" – “The paralytic” – “The one who goes in the wheelchair?” – “Yes!”- “No, dear, it's the Paraclete, it's something else!”. But it was cool. Another time, I talked about not chatting because talking is bad, and people who talk are bad. “Ah! – a child immediately says – like Mrs Such and Such!”. Children are spontaneous, Mass with children is a beautiful thing: always carry it forward. The Parish is a blessed place where one goes to feel loved. Those who knock on the door of our churches and our environments often look first of all for a welcoming smile, looking for open arms and hands, eyes eager to meet and full of affection.
In a Parish, you knock on the door and, if it's not the time, they tell you: "Go away, the time is over". Once, a parish priest said to me: "I feel like closing the windows with bricks" - "Are you crazy?" – “No, because people come and if I don't receive the door, they knock on the windows”. People never get tired of asking and calling, and we must never get tired of opening doors and windows. If you are a priest, that's why; if you are in the Parish circle, it is for this: to open doors, to open windows, to always receive with a smile. And don't say "it's not time". Total openness: arms and hands open, eyes eager to meet and full of affection. This is the pastoral care of a parish. In the parish each one also carries his own burden, to be able to share it with someone else and lighten its weight, but also to share the good things it contains!
Yes, there is a great enemy, in parishes, as everywhere: gossip. Be careful, don't let the chatter in. Gossip kills. And don't gossip about each other. If you don't like this, you don't like this, eat your judgment, but don't share it to ruin the other. “Eh, Father, it's so easy to chat…”. Yes, it's easy, it's true. But there is a very good medicine against gossip, I don't know if you know it, but it's good, it's a good medicine. If you feel like chatting, bite your tongue! Your tongue will swell up and you won't be able to speak. Bite your tongue before chatting. No gossip, please, that's a plague that ruins parishes, ruins families and many things…
Dear brothers and sisters, your parishes are located in a place rich in spirituality, characterized by a history of a generous and fruitful Church. Participate in the great and lively Ambrosian pastoral heritage and live in the shadow of the ancient Sanctuary of the Addolorata in Rho, commissioned by San Carlo Borromeo shortly before his death, a place of devotion and a destination for pilgrimages yesterday as today. I thank you because, with your faith and brotherly love, you keep this legacy alive, so that it doesn't stop growing. There will be many difficulties, there will be many internal struggles, many envies, but together we must hold on, so that this does not destroy the beautiful parish history that you have. Go on! You elders, you adults pass on to the young the baton that you in turn received from the generations that preceded you; and you give it enriched by your commitment and your testimony. And you young people, don't be afraid to talk to the old! Go talk, discuss, go listen to the old people, because they will give you strength, taking from their history, so that you can go forward, you who are young now. This doesn't mean always looking back, no. You go to the old people, talk, but look ahead, to the horizon. It is important that the young meet the old and talk to the old.
And thanks again for this visit, which should have been made two years ago, I think, and has been postponed. May Saints Peter and Paul strengthen you in faith, hope and charity. And may Our Lady keep you and accompany you always. I bless you all from my heart. And please, don't forget to pray for me. Thank you!
TO THE FAITHFUL OF THE PARISHES OF RHO (MILAN)
Paul VI Hall
Saturday, March 25, 2023
________________________________________
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
I greet all of you and in particular Archbishop Michele Di Tolve, your parish priest, whom I have known for many years and whom I thank for his words. I met him as soon as he was appointed cardinal: I had gone to visit a cousin of mine and she told me about an exceptional assistant pastor they had there, "Look, that priest works!" - "Oh yes? Let me know, but don't tell him I'm a cardinal” – “No, I won't tell”. I took off my ring, we arrived at the oratory and he went from one side to the other, he moved like a dancer with everyone… So I met him. And so he remained throughout his life: someone who knows how to move, doesn't wait for the sheep to come looking for him. And as rector of the seminary he did a lot of good, to the boys preparing for the priesthood, a lot of good. Now, as parish priest, he does a lot of good and for this I would like to bear witness to all of you and to thank for what he is doing: thank you, thank you!
Some time ago I told Fr Michele that I wanted to meet you, and today you have satisfied me: thank you for coming! Last summer, calling Monsignor Michele on the phone during your community holidays, I was also able to greet some of the group and I felt the joy and enthusiasm of your being together.
Today you have come in large numbers, and I know you have also made some sacrifices so that we can all be there and not exclude anyone. You represent many different realities of your parishes and bring with you, in your hearts, the brothers and sisters who for various reasons were unable to come, thank you! Bring together different and complementary generations, backgrounds, services and gifts, and this is beautiful. The Church is this! Indeed, the Church is a body made up of many members, all at the service of one another and all animated by the same love: that of Christ (see 1 Cor 12:12). And when the Church is not like that, it falls into worldliness, it falls into clericalism which is a very bad thing. Always remember that it is with the beauty and richness of this variety and this communion that you bring Jesus to the world: this is the most powerful means by which you proclaim the Gospel, even before words!
Some of the groups present this year are celebrating a special anniversary. Together we thank the Lord, whose humble servants we are all, for the good he has done and continues to do through us, and we renew our commitment to be generous in the gift of ourselves and docile to his will. Mons. Michele, in his greeting, recalled, among other things, precisely the words I pronounced ten years ago, on March 13, 2013. As soon as I was elected Bishop of Rome, looking out for the first time in the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, I said: «Let us begin this journey together: Bishop and people [...]. A path of brotherhood, of love, of trust among us". It is the desire that has accompanied me for all these years, and it is the wish that I also wish you, with your bishop. I am the bishop of Rome, but you have another. After you!
I urge you to walk together as brothers and sisters, because brotherhood makes people freer and happier. The world doesn't end with ourselves, please! The community doesn't make itself in front of the mirror, the mirror and I, no! We truly discover the world only when we walk together with others, day by day. This is why the Parish is important: because it is the place where, in following Jesus, we meet, get to know each other, enrich one another, people of different generations and different cultural and social conditions, all with something unique to give and to receive. Let's see in our cities what happens when we forget this: the horizon shrinks and we all become more alone.
Walk together, walk with love. May love among you always take first place (cf. 1 Cor 13:1-13; Enc. Fratelli tutti, 92). Through educational activities, kindergarten, groups, the activities of the Oratory, attention to the poor and the least, to elderly and lonely people, engaged couples and young families, through the musical band and sports activities , you prepare the ground, sometimes a little dry and hard, to sow love and transform the territory in which you live into a luxuriant countryside, rich in the good fruits of the Gospel. In particular, loving means "widening the circle", building unity in trust and acceptance, working together and always seeking common points and opportunities to form community, rather than reasons for division (cf. Fratelli tutti, 97). Respect the differences.
You know, I was a parish priest for six years, and I carry that experience in my heart. I liked Mass with children... Just think that in that neighborhood there were many, and at Sunday Mass there were 200, 280 children - in those neighborhoods, families have four-five children - and I always started to converse with them. Once - it was Pentecost - I used to say: "Today is Pentecost!". The children answered: “Yes, father, yes”. “In short, it is the Holy Spirit… Who among you knows who the Holy Spirit is?”. And some raised their hands. "Okay, you!" – “The paralytic!”. "What did you say?" – “The paralytic” – “The one who goes in the wheelchair?” – “Yes!”- “No, dear, it's the Paraclete, it's something else!”. But it was cool. Another time, I talked about not chatting because talking is bad, and people who talk are bad. “Ah! – a child immediately says – like Mrs Such and Such!”. Children are spontaneous, Mass with children is a beautiful thing: always carry it forward. The Parish is a blessed place where one goes to feel loved. Those who knock on the door of our churches and our environments often look first of all for a welcoming smile, looking for open arms and hands, eyes eager to meet and full of affection.
In a Parish, you knock on the door and, if it's not the time, they tell you: "Go away, the time is over". Once, a parish priest said to me: "I feel like closing the windows with bricks" - "Are you crazy?" – “No, because people come and if I don't receive the door, they knock on the windows”. People never get tired of asking and calling, and we must never get tired of opening doors and windows. If you are a priest, that's why; if you are in the Parish circle, it is for this: to open doors, to open windows, to always receive with a smile. And don't say "it's not time". Total openness: arms and hands open, eyes eager to meet and full of affection. This is the pastoral care of a parish. In the parish each one also carries his own burden, to be able to share it with someone else and lighten its weight, but also to share the good things it contains!
Yes, there is a great enemy, in parishes, as everywhere: gossip. Be careful, don't let the chatter in. Gossip kills. And don't gossip about each other. If you don't like this, you don't like this, eat your judgment, but don't share it to ruin the other. “Eh, Father, it's so easy to chat…”. Yes, it's easy, it's true. But there is a very good medicine against gossip, I don't know if you know it, but it's good, it's a good medicine. If you feel like chatting, bite your tongue! Your tongue will swell up and you won't be able to speak. Bite your tongue before chatting. No gossip, please, that's a plague that ruins parishes, ruins families and many things…
Dear brothers and sisters, your parishes are located in a place rich in spirituality, characterized by a history of a generous and fruitful Church. Participate in the great and lively Ambrosian pastoral heritage and live in the shadow of the ancient Sanctuary of the Addolorata in Rho, commissioned by San Carlo Borromeo shortly before his death, a place of devotion and a destination for pilgrimages yesterday as today. I thank you because, with your faith and brotherly love, you keep this legacy alive, so that it doesn't stop growing. There will be many difficulties, there will be many internal struggles, many envies, but together we must hold on, so that this does not destroy the beautiful parish history that you have. Go on! You elders, you adults pass on to the young the baton that you in turn received from the generations that preceded you; and you give it enriched by your commitment and your testimony. And you young people, don't be afraid to talk to the old! Go talk, discuss, go listen to the old people, because they will give you strength, taking from their history, so that you can go forward, you who are young now. This doesn't mean always looking back, no. You go to the old people, talk, but look ahead, to the horizon. It is important that the young meet the old and talk to the old.
And thanks again for this visit, which should have been made two years ago, I think, and has been postponed. May Saints Peter and Paul strengthen you in faith, hope and charity. And may Our Lady keep you and accompany you always. I bless you all from my heart. And please, don't forget to pray for me. Thank you!
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