To the Augustinian Recollect family, to all the faithful in our ministries and all our on-line friends who visit our website.
Greetings to you all from Rome.
We have all been surprised by the news of Pope Benedict’s resignation as supreme Pontiff. The Pope has confessed that after examining his conscience many times he has reached the certainty that, due to his advanced age, he no longer has the strength necessary to adequately exercise his ministry of leading the Church. It’s an admirable gesture of humility and sincerity which reveal a deep spiritual life and high human qualities.
The Augustinian Recollect Family is heart fully grateful to Pope Benedict for his teaching and service in charity to the Universal Church. In a special way we wish to express our gratitude for the fact that through study and prayer he knew St. Augustine well and guarded him as a “good companion on the journey throughout his life and his ministry”, as he has manifested on various occasions. (Audience: 25.9.2010)
Benedict XVI has reminded us that St. Augustine “still lives through his writings, he is present in us and in this way we see the permanent vitality of the faith for which he gave up his entire life” (Audience 20.2.2008). His constant references to the Bishop of Hippo have made us feel more united to Augustine and to him.
I invite you all, with faith, to invoke the Holy Spirit to enlighten the Cardinals who will elect the new Pope and to comfort, with peace, Benedict XVI in his retirement, study and prayer in the service of the Church.
Miguel Miró
Prior general