Message of Benedict XVI on the occasion of the Spiritual Exercises of the Fraternity of CL

The Vatican, April 27, 2005

Reverend Fr Julián Carrón President of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation

Reverend Father,

I have the joy of transmitting to you and to the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation a particular greeting from His Holiness Benedict XVI, on the occasion of the “Spiritual Exercises,” to take place in Rimini on April 29-30 this year. With the memory of the mov- ing funeral of the late Fr Luigi Giussani in Milan Cathedral still alive his heart, the Holy Father, participating spiritually in the fervour of these days of reflection and prayer guided by you, he ardently wishes that they bear fruits of ascetic renewal and ardent apostolic and mis- sionary zeal.
The theme of the meditations is significant: Hope. How relevant it is in our time that we understand the value and importance of Christian hope, which sinks its roots in a simple, unhesitant faith in Christ and his word of salvation! Our dear Fr Giussani nourished himself with this hope, and your esteemed Fraternity means to contin- ue the journey in his footsteps. Your Founder passed away shortly before our beloved Holy Father John Paul II. Both were ardent wit- nesses of Christ and they leave us the heritage of a witness of total dedication to the “hope that does not disappoint us” (Rom 5:5), that hope which the Holy Spirit pours into the hearts of the faithful by giv- ing them the love of God.
The Supreme Pontiff entrusts the happy outcome of your “Spiritual Exercises” to the most blessed Mary, Mother of Hope, and from his heart sends the requested Apostolic Blessing to you, to all the partici- pants in the meeting and to the entire Fraternity of Communion and Liberation.
I take the opportunity to assure you also of my own spiritual near- ness, as I confirm myself,

Yours devotedly in the Lord,
Angelo Cardinal Sodano, Secretary of State.