4698(III)_Be Glad and Rejoice!
Apostolic Exhortation about Holiness in Today's World
April 15, 2018
Vatican, 15 April 2018 -- Pope Francis his most recent apostolic exhortation 'Be Glad and Rejoice' with these words: "It is my hope that these pages will prove helpful by enabling the whole Church to devote herself anew to promoting the desire for holiness. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us a fervent longing to be saints for God’s greater glory, and let us encourage one another in this effort. In this way, we will share a happiness that the world will not be able to take from us."
Reading the five part Apostolic Exhortation of total 46 pages A4 offers a strong dose of oxygen, energy and fresh air to all Catholic believers who are open to every new surpise of Pope Francis. Reading the core message focuse on the Beatitudes comment leading to daily holiness (Matthew 5, 3-12), our Universal Pastor invites us in simple and concrete terms to accept the 'universal call - vocation and mission to holiness' as the most attractive witness to Jesus and His Gospel.
The structure of the Apostolic Exhortation:
Chapter I: The call to holiness
The Saints who encourages us and accompany us; The Saints ‘next door’; The Lord Calls; For You Too; Your Mission in Christ; Activity that Sanctifies; More Alive More Human.
Chapter II: Two subtle enemies of holiness
Contemporary Gnosticism; Contemporary Pelagianism;
Chapter III: In the Light of the Master
Going against the Flow (Beatitudes – Matthew 5, 3-12)
Chapter IV: Signs of Holiness in today’s World
Perseverance, Patience and Meekness; Joy and Sense of Humour; Boldness and Passion; In community; In constant prayer;
Chapter V: Spiritual combat, vigilance and discernment
Combat and Vigilance; Discernment
Among not less than 125 quotes from rich Church spiritual heritage, Saint, Popes, Bishops Conferences etc. And Pope Francis quotes once also St. Francis de Sales (note 15: Treatise on the Love of God , VIII, 11) “There are inspirations that tend solely to perfect in an extraordinary way the ordinary things we do in life”
Let's take this Apostolic Exhortation not just for our spiritual reading, but also for our Life style and program!
Full text of the Apostolic Exhortation:Gaudete et Exultate (Be Glad and Rejoice!)
