I thought that this exhortation from Pope Benedict's homily for the Feast of Saint Joseph celebrated in Cameroon is a good follow-up to Matthew's post from Cardinal Newman:

Dear fathers and mothers here today, do you have trust in God who has called you to be the fathers and mothers of his adopted children? Do you accept that he is counting on you to pass on to your children the human and spiritual values that you yourselves have received and which will prepare them to live with love and respect for his holy name? At a time when so many people have no qualms about trying to impose the tyranny of materialism, with scant concern for the most deprived, you must be very careful. Africa in general, and Cameroon in particular, place themselves at risk if they do not recognize the True Author of Life! Brothers and sisters in Cameroon and throughout Africa, you who have received from God so many human virtues, take care of your souls! Do not let yourselves be captivated by selfish illusions and false ideals! Believe yes! continue to believe in God Father, Son, and Holy Spirit he alone truly loves you in the way you yearn to be loved, he alone can satisfy you, can bring stability to your lives. Only Christ is the way of Life.

Buona festa di San Giuseppe!

Robert P. Imbelli, a priest of the Archdiocese of New York, is a longtime Commonweal contributor.

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