Because the Italian Catholic Motion of Grownup Scouts (MASCI) celebrates 70 years of founding, Pope Francis encourages them to proceed staying true to their founding values of neighborhood, training, service and take care of human life and our widespread house.
By Lisa Zengarini
Pope Francis known as on Saturday the Italian Catholic Motion of Grownup Scouts (MASCI), which celebrates the 70th anniversary of its basis, to proceed being a neighborhood of solidarity, serving the dignity of all human life and defending our widespread house.
“Persevere in your path,” he stated when assembly on the Vatican with about 150 members of the board of administrators of the motion based in 1954.
“Extra life to life”
Addressing them within the Clementine Corridor, Pope Francis praised the theme chosen for the anniversary celebration, “Extra life to life,” which, he stated, sums up the spirit that impressed three necessary initiatives that the Italian scout motion plans to hold out. this 12 months: the donation of a thermal crib to the First Support and Reception Heart for immigrants on the Italian island of Lampedusa; the development of a nautical carpentry store in Zambia; and the planting of a brand new forest in northern Italy.
The three initiatives, he famous, contact on three necessary Christian values.
The love for all times is common.
The cot, the Pope famous, evokes the openness to a brand new life in a time of demographic decline, particularly in Italy, the place, he recalled, the common age of the inhabitants has elevated to 46 years. Alternatively, a cot, Pope Francis acknowledged, symbolizes the enjoyment of a kid who’s born into the world, it tells us about household life “a comfy and protected nest for the little ones, and about take care of life “at each stage.”
The Pope confused that the truth that the donation is destined for a reception heart for immigrants can also be vital on this sense: “He additionally underlines that the love of life is all the time open and common, that it wishes the great of all, no matter its origin or every other situation.”
Constructing devices of excellent, not demise.
Pope Francis continued to replicate on the undertaking to construct a nautical carpentry in Zambia. This initiative, he confused, refers to carpentry work that has a very symbolic that means for Christians, because it instantly brings to thoughts Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, “working humbly 'with human arms'.”
“In a world the place there’s a lot speak about producing weapons to wage battle,” the Pope stated, “it reminds us of man's elementary vocation to rework the presents of God not into devices of demise, however into devices of excellent,” to construct a simply and peaceable society, “the place everybody has the potential for a dignified life.”
Listening to the cry of the Earth and the poor
Lastly, concerning the third undertaking of planting a brand new forest, Pope Francis famous that it reminds us of our accountability for the widespread house that God has entrusted to us. This, he confused, has not solely all the time been an necessary attribute of the Scout Motion, but in addition a elementary worth that we should defend right now once we face the dramatic penalties “of an irresponsible and short-sighted exploitation of the planet”, of the egocentric life and behaviors that They’re “insensitive” to the cry of the Earth, “in addition to to the voice of many brothers and sisters unjustly marginalized and excluded from a good distribution of products.”
Proceed to be an open and supportive neighborhood.
On the finish of his speech, Pope Francis inspired the Italian scouts to stay an open, attentive and welcoming neighborhood, “prophetic within the brave proclamation of the Gospel” and keen to satisfy others, “particularly those that reside on the peripheries.” existentials of our time.”