Benedict XVI Urges Catholic Action to Holiness

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VATICAN CITY, DEC. 8, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI encouraged continued growth in holiness for the members of Catholic Action, an organization that has given the Church over 60 saints and blesseds.



After praying the Angelus today, the Holy Father greeted in Italian the lay organization that celebrates the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception by giving its members the opportunity to renew their membership in Catholic Action.

"I encourage Catholic Action to develop ever more the formative commitment, so that its members will grow in holiness of life and ecclesial communion and be credible witnesses of the Risen Jesus, hope of humanity," the Pope said from the window of his study.

"May the Immaculate Virgin bless Catholic Action and support it in the generous commitment to serve the Church and her evangelizing mission," he concluded.

Catholic Action, a lay association which generally has its point of meeting and reference in parishes, dates back to 1867, to the Society of Italian Catholic Youth, approved the following year by Pope Pius IX. It was established with its present name and configuration by Pope Pius XI.

In Italy, Catholic Action has some 180,000 adult members, 80,000 youths and 150,000 adolescents.