Imitate 'restless soul' of St. Augustine, Pope encourages religious
August 29, 2013
Meeting on August 28 with members of the Augustinian religious order, Pope Francis spoke of the “restlessness of the spiritual quest” exemplified by St. Augustine.
The Holy Father celebrated Mass at the Roman basilica of St. Augustine, and met with Augustinians who are convened for the general chapter of their order. In his homily the Pope said that the great saint—whose feast the Church was celebrating—had a restless youth, but did not settle down once he embraced the faith. The Pope said:
The restlessness of the quest for the truth, of the quest for God, becomes the restlessness of always coming to know Him better, and of going out of oneself in order to make Him known to others. And this is the restlessness of love.
This restlessness, Pope Francis said, prodded St. Augustine to preach the Gospel, sharing his faith untiringly with others. The Pope encouraged Augustinians to follow his example, always reaching out to others even “without waiting for the other to express his needs.”
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Further information:
- Pope Francis: "restlessness of love" brings pastoral fruitfulness (Vatican Radio)
- Pope says Christians should have restless hearts like St. Augustine's (CNS)
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Posted by: chady -
Aug. 30, 2013 12:41 PM ET USA
How encouraging are Pope Frances' words. I have never really thought about St Augustine being restless in that way. If I understand Pope Frances' words correctly it seems essential we all need to engender that same restlessness to break free from fixed ideas about our own spiritual journey - to trust more in Jesus. I once read a saying attributed to St Peter 'if it is you Lord call me and I will walk upon the waters' We have to engender this restlessness and step out onto the waters with Jesus.
