Page 165 - Reflections on St. Joseph

ways, know well the people and the area in which we are called to live, know the
culture, history and idiosincracies of the people.
 In our apostolate we cannot just conserve that which we have, but we must be open to
mission. Today in fact is not a time for conservation. Faced with situations which
seem to show a faith which is tired, repetitive, or turned in on itself, we need to grow
in the awareness that we must not content ourselves with doing that which we have
always done, without asking ourselves if the Spirit of the Lord is not calling us to take
up new pathways. We have need of new ministerial pathways, in the sense of mission,
which are able to give strong and convincing witness to the truth of the Gospel. We
need to broaden our horizons and come up with new apostolic intuitions.
 Pope John Paul II, in the document "Vita Consecrata", says that there needs to be
“creative fidelity ” (= “do that which Divine Providence shall point out from day to day”
Rules 1892, ch. 1)
 We need to continually discern that which is good and that which is no longer
effective: to seek to perfect that which the Founder has left us, keeping alive the initial
spirit of humble and silent hardwork, which becomes zeal and love for one's work and
for ongoing improvement.
 Ongoing discerment is important so that none of the fundamental points of our
spirituality and apostolic charism are allowed to die.
 Today there is need for innovation in fidelity to the Marellian principles: continually
comparing the texts of our tradition with the needs of the modern world and with the
documents of the Church.
 “St. Joseph, guardian of Jesus and our protector, welcome us as your companions in the
ministries which you merited to perform on earth” (Letter 83, formerly 76)

6). Conclusion
 “You have not only a glorious history to remember and to recount, but also a great history
still to be accomplished! Look to the future, where the Spirit is sending you in order to do
even greater things”(St. John Paul II, Vita Consecrata).
 Look at the past with gratitude, live the present with passion, embrace the future with
hope.
 We ask ourselves:
 Are we reading with the eyes of faith the signs of the times and are we responding
creatively to the present needs of the Church?
 Does our present apostolate correspond to that which the Spirit asked of our
Founder?
 Are we continuously enriching and adapting our Charism without losing its
genuine character, in order to place it at the service of the Church?
 Are we convinced that living the present with passion means: having a serious,
personal and intimate relationship with Jesus; to live the spirit of communion in
community; to give soul and body in the building up of the Kingdom?

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Reflections on st. joseph