Pope’s Visit 2018
Visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to The Capuchin Day Centre
25th August 2018
Welcome Address by Br Kevin Crowley
Your Holiness, our brother Pope Francis, the Capuchin brothers have always been known as the brothers of the people. In these days, you yourself are the inspiration for that title; you are a true brother to the people and a true brother to the poor. Our brothers and sisters who use this centre do so in a spirit of dignity and respect—the same dignity and respect that you love to see in every family. Here in the Capuchin Day Centre, we are also a family, a family of the poor and marginalised in our society.
This centre was opened in 1969 for the purpose of helping needy people. At the outset, we provided warm shelter and hot food to about fifty people each day. From those humble beginnings, we now provide, on a daily basis, over eight hundred hot meals to our vulnerable and needy family members. In our home, they can also find help with all their medical and personal hygiene needs. In this year of the Family, our primary concern is for the dignity and respect of each person attending our centre. We do not ask any questions of those who frequent this place, as we feel it is difficult enough for them to come in and bring their children here to be fed and nourished. Our main concern is that no one should go hungry.
On behalf of all who frequent this centre, be they the poor and needy, our staff and volunteers, and our beneficiaries, we give you a warm Franciscan welcome and promise you our prayerful support as you go about the world embracing the poor.
Words of the Holy Father
Dear brother, dear bishop, dear Capuchin brothers, and all of you, my brothers and sisters!
You, Br Kevin said that the Capuchins are known as the brothers of the People, close to the people, and this is true. If at times, some Capuchin community goes distant from the people of God, it falls. You are especially attuned with people of God, and indeed, with the poor. You have the grace of contemplating the wounds of Jesus in those in need, those who suffer, those who are unfortunate or destitute, or full of vices and defects. For you this is the flesh of Christ. This is your witness, and the Church needs it. Thank you.
One more thing and then [turning to the poor] I will speak to you. Another thing that you said touched my heart. That you don’t ask any questions. It is Jesus who comes [in the poor]. You ask no questions. You accept life as it comes, you give comfort and if need be, you forgive. This makes me think as a reproof- of those priests who instead live by asking questions about other people’s lives and who in confession dig, dig, dig into consciences. Your witness teaches priests to listen, to be close, to forgive and not to ask too many questions. To be simple, as Jesus said that father did who, when his son returned, full of sins and vices. That father did not sit in a confessional and start asking question after question. He accepted the son’s repentance and embraced him. May your witness to the people of God, and this heart capable of forgiving without causing pain, reach all priests. Thank you!
And you, dear brothers and sisters, I thank you for the love and the trust that you have for the Capuchin brothers. Thank you because you come here with trust! Let me say one thing to you. Do you know why you come here with trust? Because they help you without detracting from your dignity. For them, each of you is Jesus Christ. Thank you for the trust that you give us. You are the Church, you are God’s people. Jesus is with you. They will give you the things you need, but listen to the advice they give you; they will always give you good advice. And if you have something, some doubt, some hurt, talk to them and they will give you good advice. You know that they love you: otherwise, this Centre would not exist. Thank you for your trust. And one last thing. Pray! Pray for the Church. Pray for priests. Pray for the Capuchins. Pray for the bishops, for your bishop. Pray for me too… I allow myself to ask all this. Pray for priests, don’t forget .
Thank you so much! Now, each of you, think in your heart of all those who are dear to you, because I will also bless them, you and them. And another thing: if any of you has an enemy or anyone you dislike, think of them too, and they will also receive the blessing.
God bless you all, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Thank you very much.
