Digital Marian Helper Winter_2019

From the VAULTS In light of our cover story, we share the following — a photo of Pope St. Paul VI greeting a group of Marians at the Vatican on July 16, 1969, and his words that day to the Marian Fathers during his General Audience. He said: We would like to convey our best wishes in one single word … that sums up everything that we hold in our hearts for you. That word is FIDELITY. How our times need fidelity! What profound changes and reversals are affecting the external order, as well as the spiritual domain! We have the impression that everything is changing before our eyes. As Christians and believers, we have a basic fidelity in our way of life that is becoming the central point upon which we depend. The primary fidelity that we recommend to you is fidelity to Jesus Christ, our Lord, in faith and charity. As religious, you have responded generously to His call; you desire to live His example of authentic poverty, chastity, and obedience. Our present world — and the entire Church — expects this witness of stability, constancy, and fidelity from you. Secondly, we recommend fidelity to the Church. We are so much in need of this! Presently it is no longer said: We want to leave the Church. What is often heard is: In the Church, we want to do as we please! Such a position does not fit in with the notion of the Church. We must rather remain faithful to her discipline, her rules, and above all her spirit. We must feel deeply incorporated in the Church, strongly united within the Mystical Body of Christ. And finally, we also recommend fidelity to your respective Institutes, your religious families. Hold your religious confreres in great esteem; love them as your spiritual family. Serve this family well; contribute to its greatness by your virtues and holiness. 36 M arian H elper • W inter 2019-20 • marian . org