His Holiness Pope Francis met bishops, priests, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers on Sunday morning at the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart in Manama on the last day of his apostolic visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The meeting included an intervention by Archbishop Paul Hender, apostolic administrator of the north of the Arabian peninsula, two testimonies, the first for a pastoral worker and the second for a nun, and a reading of the Gospel of St. John (7, 37 -39 ), and the meeting ended with the angelic prayer.
His Holiness Pope Francis gave a speech during his meeting with bishops, priests, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers, starting it by expressing his pleasure to be among them and referring to what Msgr. Paul Hender, when he spoke of a “small flock made up of immigrants”. The Holy Father greeted everyone and said that he also turns his thought of him to the peoples to which they belong and to their families, which they carry in their hearts. Referring to the presence of believers from Lebanon, Pope Francis affirmed his prayer and closeness to this beloved country, which suffers a lot, and to all the suffering peoples of the Middle East.
Underlining the Gospel he heard (Jn 7: 37-39), Pope Francis continued his speech, stopping in front of three great gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us and asks us to welcome and live them: joy, unity and prophecy . He initially indicated that the Holy Spirit is a source of joy and said that the Holy Spirit does not leave us alone, since it is the Comforter who sustains us with his presence, accompanies us with love, sustains us in difficulties and encourages our most beautiful dreams. The joy of the Holy Spirit is not a passing sentiment, but rather a joy that arises from the relationship with God, and from knowing that we are not alone in the dark nights that we sometimes go through, because He is with us. Pope Francis added: “You who have discovered and live this joy, I would like to tell you: keep it, and also multiply it, indicating that the best way to do it is to give this joy”. Christian joy is contagious because the Gospel makes us go out of ourselves to transmit the beauty of God’s love. He continued his word, emphasizing the importance that joy is not lost in Christian communities and that it is shared. In addition to the liturgy, especially the celebration of Mass, which is the source and summit of the Christian life, it is important to spread the joy of the Gospel also in a vital pastoral care, especially for young people, families and vocations to the priestly and monastic life. We cannot keep Christian joy to ourselves – Pope Francis said – and when we spread it, it multiplies.
The Holy Father continued his speech during the meeting, saying that the Holy Spirit is the source of unity. He indicated that there must be no room for selfishness, division and gossip. He added that the fire of the Holy Spirit lights our life with that merciful love with which Jesus loves us. Pope Francis recalled the words of St. Paul in his Letter to the Ephesians (4.3-4) “to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. There is only one body and one spirit, just as we are called by one call. ”Dwelling on the testimony of” Chris “, pastoral worker, Pope Francis underlined the importance of living in fraternity and underlined that communion and fraternity are two gifts that we must always ask from the Holy Spirit. Then he continued his speech, saying that the Holy Spirit is the source of prophecy and recalled the words of the apostle Paul “Aspire to the gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy” (1 Cor 14: 1), and the Holy Father indicated that prophecy allows us to to live the evangelical beatitudes in everyday situations, that is, to build the kingdom of God where love, justice and peace are opposed to all forms of selfishness and violence. He continued his speech, indicating the testimony given by Sister Rose during the meeting, talking about her about her service among prisoners, in prisons, and thanking her for it. He added that the care of prisoners benefits everyone, as a human group, because society’s dignity and hope are measured by how they are treated.
“Brothers and sisters, in these months we pray a lot for peace”, Pope Francis continued. In this regard, the agreement that has been signed on the situation in Ethiopia is hopeful. I encourage everyone to support this commitment to lasting peace, so that, with God’s help, the ways of dialogue may continue and people may soon find a peaceful and dignified life. The Holy Father also called for prayers for suffering Ukraine, so that this war may end.
Concluding his address to the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart on Sunday morning, where he met bishops, priests, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers on the last day of his apostolic journey to Bahrain, Pope Francis said: Dear brothers and sisters, I want to finally thank you for these days that we have lived together. With a grateful heart I bless you all, especially those who worked for this visit. The Holy Father also thanked His Majesty the King and the authorities of this country for their generous hospitality.
Pope Francis addressed the Bishops, priests, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers, saying: I encourage you to continue your spiritual and ecclesial journey with firmness and joy. And don’t forget to pray for me.
