Listening and kindness

            Capacity to listen and kindness, these precious virtues unknown and misinterpreted in the society of communication, are an indispensable need for those called to a service of animation and must be translated into concrete gestures so that every sister or brother feels they are understood, accepted and loved for who they are. Regarding this, I am gleaning from a biography of John Paul II (Storia di Karol, by Gianfranco Svidercoschi, Milan, Ancora 2001) Karol Wojtyła was ordained a priest on September 28, 1958. And in the cathedral of Wawel a little part of the new bishop’s life was performed on stage. There were his colleagues of the theatre, the workers of Solvay, parish families, professors of the seminary and of Lublino,  the intellectuals and university people who took care  of the service of order…. And thus, His Excellency Lolek (Charlie) started his episcopal apprenticeship. He visited the parishes one by one, continued to teach, continued the meetings with young people, with newly married couples: continued his ministry in the confessional, which he would not have given up for anything in the world… Later he was made cardinal and continued more intensely his pastoral mission: administered confirmations, ordained priests, went to comfort the homebound sick, had married couples renew their vows. And he never skipped a meeting with young people. Listening and sowing goodness he was building communion.  He was a man, he was a bishop of goodness who listened. (cf. p. 163)