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Pope: Charity is source of prayer, soul of action, expression of sacrifice
In a meeting with members of the “Circolo di San Pietro,” a Roman charity association that assists those who are most vulnerable, Pope Leo XIV emphasizes the importance of Chrisitan charity as a guiding force to sustain our service.
By Isabella H. de Carvalho
“May charity always be the source of your prayer, the soul of your action, and the expression of your spiritual sacrifice,” Pope Leo XIV told members of a charity association based in Rome on Monday, October 12.
Pope Leo met at the Vatican with members of the “Circolo San Pietro” (“St. Peter’s Circle”), a Roman association founded in 1869 and focused on helping those most in need by managing soup kitchens, running welcome centres and shelters, and more.
The Pope thanked them for their work, noting that they “help shape the beautiful face of the Church, which bears witness to the Gospel among the poor and the most vulnerable.”
Drawing inspiration from the motto of the association, “prayer, action and sacrifice,” Pope Leo reflected on the word charity, which he said sums up and encapsulates the other three.
Prayer, action and sacrifice
He first highlighted the importance of prayer as “the foundation of charity,” as it nurtures our relationship with God.
“Prayer is precisely that relationship through which we receive the very charity we are called to give,” he explained, urging those present to always return to the Word of God and prayer as a source of strength for their service.
Pope Leo then turned to the second word of their motto, action, which he says indicates where one should place the love received from God, which becomes “a commitment to life and service.”
“Prayer becomes effective when it is directed toward our neighbour,” he noted. “Love must become the goal, the way, and the meaning of our lives.”
Lastly, the Pope focused on the third element, sacrifice, which he defined as “the very heart of charity, showing us how to live the balance between prayer and action.”
“In offering your time, your enthusiasm, and even your toil for the benefit of the least among us, you share in the very work of Christ, who loved us and gave his life for us,” the Pope emphasized.
Peter’s Pence
In his address the Pope also thanked the Circolo di San Pietro for presenting him with the donations for Peter’s Pence, which they are responsible for collecting throughout the diocese of Rome.
Peter’s Pence “supports the Bishop of Rome’s care for this city and, at the same time, helps meet the needs of the Apostolic See in its service to the entire Church,” the Pope said.
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