Catholics called to be people of hope, says papal preacher

Published: 2007-12-21

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Catholics are called to be people of hope and to demonstrate by their happiness the fact that they know God will provide, said the preacher of the papal household. The preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, told Pope Benedict XVI and top Vatican officials Dec. 21 that the Catholic Church, especially in Italy and in the United States, must help its people recognize that they have real reasons for hope and valuable resources for facing the future. Offering his weekly Advent meditation, Father Cantalamessa prescribed "an aromatherapy based on the oil of happiness, which is the Holy Spirit." "We need this therapy to heal the most pernicious illness of all: desperation, discouragement, the loss of faith in oneself, in life and even in the church," he said. The preacher told the pope and Vatican officials, "We human creatures need hope in order to live, just like we need oxygen to breathe."

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