Perhaps never before have we arrived here with such an awareness that our own strength cannot make lasting the beautiful things that happen to us in life. And maybe never before, as today, have we been so aware of how deeply we need someone who withstands the test of time, responding to our boundless need for duration.

Therefore, let us ask for the Holy Spirit, the only one able to support and respond to all the desire for fullness that constitutes us.

Come Holy Spirit

I’ll begin by reading the Holy Father’s message to us: “On the occasion of the Spiritual Exercises that has gathered in Rimini the members of the Fraternity of Communion and Liberation, accompanied this year by the significant theme, “What can withstand the test of time?”, the Supreme Pontiff sends his cordial greetings, with the prayer that the memory of the sacrifice of Christ and His incarnation in history may be the concrete help offered by God the Father to overcome all the adversity and mediocrity of the present time. Pope Francis invites you to study the signs of the times and to recognize in the many stories of holiness the opportunity for building His dwelling place in the world. He gladly imparts, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, the apostolic blessing you requested, to you and all those present, their families and the entire Movement. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for His Holiness.”

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