Monasteries of contemplative life as an "oasis" for today’s man: these are the words used by the Pope yesterday, before introducing the Angelus prayer from Saint Peter’s Square, as he recalled that tomorrow, November 21st, will be the Day pro Orantibus, devoted to commemorating the enclosed orders. "It is an extremely appropriate opportunity highlighted Benedict XVI to thank the Lord for the gift of so many people who, in monasteries and hermitages, devote themselves entirely to God, in prayer, silence and seclusion". Someone questions, he added, "the meaning and value their presence can have in this time of ours, when many pressing situations of poverty and need have to be addressed". Why "withdraw oneself" forever inside "the walls of a monastery", "thus depriving others of the contribution of one’s abilities and experience? How effective can their prayer be for solving the many real problems that keep plaguing humankind?". However, even today, "often surprising friends and acquaintances highlighted the Holy Father quite a few people give up their often promising careers to embrace the strict rule of an enclosed monastery". (to be continued)
