Pentecost: The Hour of Holiness

The General Moderator of the Apostolic Oblates, Caterina Fava, announced the theme for the General Assembly, The Hour of Holiness, in November 2008. In her letter she recalls the words of Giuliana Spigone,

"'This is the hour of holiness presented to us by God. It is the hour that we not only must welcome, but also present to the world as the most beautiful and attractive event. The walk that will lead us to recapture the gift that was given to us begins here and now, with us. To begin this walk with a renewed eye that sees through the events, hears the cry of humanity, and faces the challenges implied in holiness and fraternity.' (2007, Giuliana)

Caterina continues with words from Bishop Giaquinta,

These words – also validated and reiterated by our 'Father' – impel us to a radical and maximalist effort proper to holiness. The Founder writes, 'Sons and daughters, this is no longer the hour for empty words or controversies, but for action. We were born revolutionaries, but if we don’t react to the possible danger of middle-class attitudes, we run the risk of remaining outdated… I beg you, in God’s name, to talk less but to pray and pay more. Christ is the one who reveals the Father, but in order to bring about such revelation He paid with his own person. We must walk in His footsteps. For this is what the Church and the world expect from us. All the years past…claim our consistency, our generosity, and adherence to a risky acceptance perhaps greater that the initial one' (IV. Letter of 1974).

For us, too, today is the hour of saints. Today, we are called to prove that holiness is a necessity in this historical time, and in the Church that we love. This is the hour of God, of the Holy One, Whom we are called to re-incarnate, as it were, in our selves, and in our life, especially during this particular year. 'For I, the Lord, am your God' (Lev 11:44). (Caterina Fava, Nov. 2008)

Spirit of light and fire, stir up in us the gifts You bestowed on us at the moment of our baptism. Spirit of holiness, let this be the hour that we open our hearts to You, as You are already present and acting in our lives. Spirit of love, transform our hearts into temples of adoration before the Father and sanctuaries of peace for our brothers and sisters. Spirit of joy and peace, may the Easter joy that Christ has released upon His Church make us credible witnesses of the mission entrusted to us.

Pentecost: The Hour of Holiness