Spirit of service

I have always reminded you, my children, that our aim is to serve. In order to be useful, serve. We need, therefore, an upright lifestyle, a clear understanding of the faith, and the constant and loving practice of our Norms as children of God in his Work.

In this way, and only in this way, can all this work we carry out with young people be imbued with a strong spirit of service. It is service on a number of grounds: to the individuals who take part in the St Raphael work; to the Church, because we are preparing them to be faithful to her; and to society, because we are fashioning model citizens, Christians who will act uprightly in their professional and social lives.

I am conscious of the apostolic zeal and dedication which move you to look after and form the St Raphael boys and girls well, and I thank God for it. It is a work that never ceases, which requires a special zeal for souls and love of God, patience, and limitless goodness, in keeping with that maxim of St Paul: caritas patiens est, benigna est (1 Cor 13:4); love is patient and is full of kindness.