Faith desires to ‘change the world,’ Pope Francis says

Last updated on: January 3, 2014 at 5:38 pm by CNA Daily News

Faith desires to ‘change the world,’ Pope Francis says 2014-01-03T17:38:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Jan 3, 2014 / 10:38 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis celebrated Mass Jan. 3 in thanksgiving for the Jesuit saint Peter Faber, praising his “lofty desires” to be centered in God and to evangelize at the “peripheries.”

“An authentic faith always implies a deep desire to change the world,” Pope Francis said in his homily at the Church of the Gesu in Rome.

“And this is the question we should pose ourselves: do we too have great visions and zeal? Are we bold too? Do our dreams fly high? Are we consumed by zeal? Or are we mediocre and satisfied with our theoretical apostolic plans?”

He said that the Church's strength is not in its organizational capacity but rather is “concealed in the deep waters of God” that “agitate our desires” and these desires in turn “expand our hearts.”

Pope Francis celebrated the Mass on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus at Rome's Church of the Gesu. The home church of the Society of Jesus hosts the relics of the saint.

In his homily, the first Jesuit Pope noted Faber's saying that the heart's first movement must prioritize seeking God.

“Faber experienced the desire to let the center of his heart be occupied by Christ. Only when centered in God is it possible to go out towards the peripheries of the world!”

He said the saint was “consumed by the intense desire to communicate the Lord.”

“If we do not have the same desire, then we need to pause a while in prayer and, with silent fervor, ask the Lord, through the intercession of our brother Peter, that we might again experience the fascination of the Lord who led Peter in his 'apostolic follies.'”

Pope Francis effectively canonized Peter Faber on Dec. 17. Faber was the first companion of the Jesuit founder St. Ignatius Loyola and the first to be ordained a priest for the Society of Jesus, which the two co-founded with St. Francis Xavier.

Peter Faber, also called Pierre Favre, was born in 16th century France. He served across Europe before his death in 1546. Pope Pius IX beatified him in 1872.

Pope Francis recognized the sainthood of Peter Faber on Dec. 17, authorizing his enrollment in the catalogue of the saints. This differed from the normal canonization process, which seeks a second recognized miracle attributed to the saint's intercession.

On Jan. 3 the Pope said St. Peter Faber had a “restless, indecisive spirit, never satisfied.” Under St. Ignatius of Loyola, Faber learned to unite this restlessness with decision-making. When he was faced with difficult tasks, “he demonstrated the true spirit that sets into action.”

Faber had “the true and deep desire to open up in God.” His centeredness in God allowed him to go everywhere in Europe” and to “enter into dialogue with everyone, with gentleness, and to proclaim the Gospel.”

During his remarks, Pope Francis also reflected on the problems some people have in evangelizing.

“I think of the temptation that perhaps we experience, to which many people succumb, to link the proclamation of the Gospel with inquisitionary bludgeoning and condemnation,” he said. “No, the Gospel must be proclaimed with gentleness, in a fraternal spirit, with love.”

The Pope encouraged Catholics to “pray to desire and desire to expand your heart,” adding that without desires, “one cannot go forth, and this is why we must offer our desires to the Lord.”

Concelebrants for the Pope's Jan. 3 Mass included Father Adolfo Nicholas, the Jesuit superior general, and seven young Jesuit priests. Also concelebrating were Cardinal Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, vicar general of Rome Cardinal Agostino Vallini, and Bishop Yves Boivineau of Annency, France, the home diocese of Peter Faber.

Vatican

Previous Post

January 3, 2014

Archbishop Müller affirms doctrine, pastoral care for divorced

Next Post

January 3, 2014 Pope encouraged Malta bishop to speak out against gay adoption bill

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does 2 John emphasize believers should walk in?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Faith and law Knowledge and power Fear and wisdom Love and truth