Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The year dedicated to St. Paul, "father and master" of those who have decided to dedicate their lives to following Jesus, should be for religious a special encouragement to imitate him, both in how he followed the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and because of his "profound capacity to connect spiritual life and missionary action." This is the invitation that Benedict XVI has issued to religious men and women from all over the world, on the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, the 13th day for consecrated life.

Speaking at the end of the Mass celebrated this afternoon in the Basilica of St. Peter, by Cardinal Franc Rodé, prefect of the congregation for the institutes of consecrated life and societies of apostolic life, together with thousands of religious, the pope said that "in the tradition of the Church, St. Paul has always been recognized as father and master of those who, called by the Lord, have chosen unconditional dedication to him and to his Gospel. Various religious institutes take their name from St. Paul, and draw their specific inspiration from him. It can be said that to all consecrated men and women, he issues a straightforward and affectionate invitation: 'Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ' (1 Cor. 11:1). What is consecrated life, in fact, if not a radical imitation of Jesus, a total 'following' of him? (cf. Mt. 19:27-28). And so, in everything Paul represents a reliable guide: to imitate him in following Jesus, dearest ones, is a privileged means for responding completely to your vocation of special consecration in the Church."

"Even more, from his voice itself we can learn about a style of life that expresses the substance of consecrated life inspired by the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. In the life of poverty, he sees the guarantee of a proclamation of the Gospel undertaken completely gratuitously (cf. 1 Cor. 9:1-23), while it expresses, at the same time, concrete solidarity toward brothers in need. In this regard, we all know of Paul's decision to support himself by the work of his hands, and his efforts to collect money for the poor in Jerusalem (cf. 1 Thess. 2:9; 2 Cor. 8-9). Paul is also an apostle who, hearing the call of God to chastity, gave his heart to the Lord in an undivided manner, in order to serve his brothers with even greater freedom and dedication (cf. 1 Cor 7:7; 2 Cor 11:1); moreover, in a world in which the values of Christian chastity had little following (cf. 1 Cor. 12:20), he offers a sure reference point of conduct. As for obedience, it is enough to note that the fulfillment of the will of God, his 'daily anxiety, my concern for all the churches' (2 Cor. 11:28), animated, shaped, and consumed his existence, made a pleasing sacrifice to God. All of this led him to proclaim, as he writes to the Philippians: 'For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain' (Phil. 1:21).

"Another fundamental aspect of Paul's consecrated life is mission. He belongs entirely to Jesus in order to be, like Jesus, for all; even more than this, to be Jesus for all: 'I have made myself all things to all men, in order do that by all means I may at least save some' (1 Cor. 9:22). In him, so closely united to the person of Christ, we recognize a profound capacity to connect spiritual life and missionary action; in him, these two dimensions call upon each other." "Paul lives for, with, and in Christ. 'I have been crucified with Christ', he writes, ' and I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me' (Gal. 2:20); and again, ' for me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain' (Phil. 1:21)."

"I therefore hope," he concluded, "that the Pauline Year may foster even more among you the intention to grasp the testimony of St. Paul, meditating each day on the word of God with the faithful practice of lectio divina, praying 'psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with thanksgiving' (Col. 3:16). May he also help you to realize your apostolic service in and with the Church, with a spirit of communion without reservation, making a gift of your own charisms to others (cf. 1 Cor. 14:12), and by bearing witness in the first place to the greatest charism, which is charity (cf. 1 Cor. 13).