Monsignor Fernando Ocáriz arrived in Paris on August 1. There he will have various catechetical get-togethers with faithful and friends of Opus Dei. This article will be updated in the coming days.
FROM THE PRELATE
Aug. 3, 2017
“When I learned that the Father was coming to France, I changed my vacation plans so that I could meet him in Paris,” says Sophia, who is 31 years old. Like her, many other people will be able to be with the Prelate of Opus Dei during his four-day stay in France. Many view him as “a bit French,” since he was born in the capital city of the country.
The first get-together with faithful of Opus Dei took place a few hours after his arrival, on August 1. The main reason for his trip, the Prelate said, is “to encourage everyone to be faithful to Christ and to always be cheerful.”
Suffering is compatible with joy
On Wednesday morning, he went to Fontneuve, a center of Opus Dei located in Neuilly, which offers spiritual and cultural activities for young women.
Monsignor Ocáriz began by summing up the main message he wants to transmit during these days: “Christians are called to be joyful, to have good humor, and to spread peace around them. Why? Because they are beloved children of God.”
Making reference to the difficulties each person faces in their life, the Prelate remarked: “At times we may encounter suffering, and we may cry…. But become sad? No!” Citing words of Saint Josemaria, he reminded people that we can be cheerful also in difficult moments, with the help of prayer.
Why ask for anything when God knows everything?
Marie, who is a high school teacher, asked what sense it makes to request something from “a God who knows everything I need, and much better than I do.” In first place, the Prelate replied, “because Jesus told us that we need to ask.” And also “because in prayer we open our soul to God and show we are ready to accept his will.” The get-together lasted 45 minutes and ended with the praying of the Angelus.
The power of friendship
In a get-together held in Garnelles, a center close to the Seine River, Agustin, who is studying philosophy, said that sometimes he finds it hard to dialogue with people trapped in a “closed” rationalist environment, where there is no room for faith. The Prelate pointed out the incoherence of trusting only in the judgment of reason, while “relativizing” all belief, and said that this could be a starting pointing for opening up a dialogue.
In any case, he added, “the best path for accompanying someone towards the truth is and always will be that of friendship.”
