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                             Vatican Information Service.   
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                                  VIS-Press releases   
      
   CONSECRATED PEOPLE: GOSPEL, FRATERNITY, MISSION   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 26 NOV 2010 (VIS) - The Pope today received participants in the   
   general assembly of the Union of Superiors General (USG, for male religious)   
   and the International Union of Superiors General (UISG, for female religious).   
      
   "The profound renewal of consecrated life stems from the centrality of the Word   
   of God and, in more concrete terms, from the Gospel the supreme rule for you   
   all", the Holy Father told his audience. "The Gospel, put into practice every   
   day, is the element that makes consecrated life intriguing and beautiful,   
   presenting you before the world as a reliable alternative. This is what   
   contemporary society needs, this is what the Church expects of you: to be a   
   living Gospel".   
      
   Referring then to "another fundamental aspect of consecrated life, that of   
   fraternity", Benedict XVI highlighted how this "is one of the aspects that   
   young people seek most when they feel attracted by your lifestyle. It is an   
   important prophetic element you offer to a highly fragmented society". In this   
   context he spoke of the need "for serious and constant discernment in order to   
   listen to what the Spirit is telling the community, in order to recognise what   
   comes from the Lord and what is contrary to Him. Without discernment,   
   accompanied by prayer and reflection, consecrated life risks basing itself on   
   the criteria of this world: individualism, consumerism, materialism; criteria   
   that undermine fraternity and cause consecrated life to lose its allure".   
      
   The Holy Father then turned to consider another theme: mission. "It is part of   
   your identity", he said, "it encourages you to bring the Gospel to everyone,   
   without borders. Mission, supported by a strong experience of God, solid   
   formation and fraternal life in the community, is a key to understanding and   
   revitalising consecrated life. ... Renew your presence in today's areopaghi, in   
   order to announce the 'unknown' God, as St. Paul did in Athens".   
      
   Speaking then of the decreasing numbers of consecrated people, especially in   
   Europe, the Pope noted that "the difficulties must not make us forget that   
   consecrated life has its origins in the Lord; chosen by Him for the edification   
   and sanctity of His Church. Thus consecrated life "will never be lacking" in   
   the Church.   
      
   The Holy Father concluded by encouraging consecrated people "to progress in   
   faith and hope", and called for "a renewed commitment in the pastoral care of   
   vocations and in initial and permanent formation".   
   AC/VIS 20101126 (410)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
   --- MPost/386 v1.21   
    * Origin: Sursum Corda! BBS =Meridian, MS= bbs.sursum-corda.com (1:396/45)