Holiness “has to do with the meaning of my life before the Father, who knows and loves me, with the real purpose of my life, that nobody knows better than He.”
Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation “Rejoice and be Glad’ (Gaudate et Exultate) speaks of the call to holiness in the world today. An apostolic exhortation is a type of magisterial document that, apart from encyclicals, is especially directed at Catholics.
Pope Francis’ fifth important work, reminds Catholics that they can and should aspire to become saints. He argues that he wants “to repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities.”
According to Rome Reports Pope Francis, through this document, combines the tradition of new institutions that emerged in the 20th century and were recognized by the Second Vatican Council. It goes one step further by explaining how to live out the Christian proposal in the current world. It says “to be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious. We are all called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do, where we find ourselves.”
It recalls that everyone has their own “path to holiness” which brings out the best in them. Thus, do not waste time imitating something that is meant for others.
Pope Francis proposed looking at the “saints next door.” For example, “those parents who raise their children with immense love, in those men and women who work hard to support their families, in the sick, in elderly religious who never lose their smile.”
Also in the woman who doesn’t speak poorly against her friends; who listens with patience and care to her children; who prays before problems; and affectionately cares for the poor.
Source: Rome Reports
