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Come! Learn from Pope John Paul II about the "Illness of the Human Mind".
In 1997 I went on a pilgrimage to Rome; my intention was to personally bring the Guild to Pope John Paul II. When I arrived, the Pope was on retreat and could not meet with me. I left the Guild material at the Vatican. Before I returned home on this pilgrimage, there was a letter in the Guild mailbox from the Vatican that the Pope asked them to write. Enclosed also in the letter was his Apostolic Blessing.
Secretariat of State From the Vatican, March 11th, 1997
Dear Mr. Duff, The Holy Father has received the letter which you sent to him on behalf of the Guild of St. Benedict Joseph Labre, and he as asked me to send you this acknowldegement. He appreciates your devoted sentiments. His Holiness will remember you and your associates in his prayers and he invokes upon you the joy and peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Sincerely yours, Monsignor L. Sandri Assessor Scroll Down
Scroll down to learn what Pope John Paull II said about the "illness of the human mind"
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"In the Image and Likeness of God: Always! Illness of the Human Mind"
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Here is a translation of the Popes address which was given in Italian. This is only an excerpt. Our members receive a copy of the entire address upon enrollment.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, present among you are
researchers, scientists, specialists in the field of the biomedical sciences,
theologians, moralists, jurists, psychologists, sociologists and health-care
workers. Together you represent a
heritage of humanity and wisdom, of science and experience which can produce
very useful advice for the understanding, treatment and care of the mentally
ill. The Church looks on these persons with special concern, as she looks on any other human being affected by illness. Instructed by the divine Teacher's words, she believes that "man, made in the image of the Creator, redeemed by the presence of the Holy Spirit, has as the ultimate purpose of his life, to live for the praise of God's glory' striving to make each of his actions reflect the splendor of that glory". |
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WHEN GOD TURNS HIS GAZE ON MAN, THE FIRST THING HE SEES AND LOVES IN HIM IS NOT THE DEEDS HE SUCCEEDS IN DOING, BUT HIS OWN IMAGE, AN IMAGE THAT CONFERS ON MAN THE ABILITY TO KNOW AND LOVE HIS OWN CREATOR, TO RULE OVER ALL EARTHLY CREATURES AND TO USE THEM FOR GOD'S GLORY. AND THIS IS WHY THE CHURCH RECOGNIZES THE SAME DIGNITY IN ALL HUMAN BEINGS AND THE SAME FUNDAMENTAL VALUE, REGARDLESS OF ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANTIAL CONSIDERATION. THEREFORE REGARDLESS TOO --AND THIS IS MOST IMPORTANT--OF THE FACT THAT THIS ABILITY CANNOT BE UTILIZED BECAUSE IMPEDED BY MENTAL ILLNESS.
...Well, Christ took all human suffering on himself, even
mental illness. Yes, even this
affliction, which perhaps seems the most absurd and incomprehensible, configures the
sick person to Christ and gives him a share in his redeeming passion.
Thus the response to the theme's question is clear: whoever suffers from mental illness "always" bears God's image and likeness in himself, as does every human being. In addition, he "always" has the inalienable right not only to be considered as an image of God and therefore as a person, but also to be treated as such.”
"...It is everyone's duty TO MAKE AN ACTIVE RESPONSE... Indeed it should inspire a particular attentive attitude towards these people who are fully entitled to belong to the category of the poor
TO WHOM THE
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN BELONGS.
Make your pilgrimage an "Active Response"
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