Grow in union with Christ through prayer and the sacraments, Pope says at audience

May 04, 2015

Devoting his May 3 Regina Caeli address to the Gospel reading at Mass (Jn. 15:1-8), Pope Francis reflected on Christ’s teaching on the vine and the branches.

“Grafted by baptism in Christ, we have freely received from Him the gift of new life, and we are able to remain in vital communion with Christ,” he said to the crowds in St. Peter’s Square. “We must remain faithful to baptism, and grow in friendship with the Lord through prayer, daily prayer, listening and docility to His Word, reading the Gospel, participation in the sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation.”

“The fruits of this profound union with Christ are wonderful: our whole person is transformed by the grace of the Spirit: soul, understanding, will, affections, and even the body, because we are united body and soul,” the Pope continued. “We receive a new way of being, the life of Christ becomes our own: we are able to think like Him, to act like Him, to see the world and the things in it with the eyes of Jesus.”

“And so we are able to love our brothers, beginning with the poorest and those who suffer the most, as He has done, and to love them with His heart, and so bear fruits of goodness, of charity, and of peace in the world,” he added.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Le parole del Papa alla recita del Regina Caeli (Holy See Press Office)
• Regina Coeli - 2015.05.03 (Vatican YouTube)
• Pope: Bear the fruits of membership in Christ and the Church (Vatican Radio)