What is Gaudete et Exsultate?
"Gaudete et Exsultate" ("Rejoice and be Glad") is the third Apostolic Exhortation from Pope Francis. Different from his other
exhortations, he says "My modest goal is to repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities." - Gaudete et Exsultate (GE) 2
"The Lord asks everything of us, and in return he offers us true life,
the happiness for which we were created. He wants us to be saints
and not to settle for a bland and mediocre existence. The call to holiness
is present in various ways from the very first pages of the Bible. We see it
expressed in the Lord’s words to Abraham: “Walk before me, and be blameless” (Gen 17:1).
- GE 1
exhortations, he says "My modest goal is to repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities." - Gaudete et Exsultate (GE) 2
"The Lord asks everything of us, and in return he offers us true life,
the happiness for which we were created. He wants us to be saints
and not to settle for a bland and mediocre existence. The call to holiness
is present in various ways from the very first pages of the Bible. We see it
expressed in the Lord’s words to Abraham: “Walk before me, and be blameless” (Gen 17:1).
- GE 1
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Vatican Media offers this video to highlight the theme of Pope Francis' latest Apostolic Exhortation.
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Catholic News Service gives background on the history of the ideas proffered in Gaudete et Exsultate, the Holy Father having given a catechesis on the topic in November of 2014.
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From the Ad Infinitum Blog:
"Pope Francis offers a concise summary of over forty years of papal teaching on evangelization as well as over two thousand years of the Church's missionary efforts of the baptized going forth to all in word and deed in the name of Jesus Christ. Over fifty years since the close of the Second Vatican Council, the teaching that holiness is possible for all (Lumen Gentium, 11) or the "universal call to holiness," seems to be still a teaching that is not fully received by all the baptized, partially because of an understanding on the part of some that growth in holiness needs a special and particular way or is only possible for certain people." - Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C.
Click here to read all of Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C.'s blog post about Gaudete et Exsultate.
"Pope Francis offers a concise summary of over forty years of papal teaching on evangelization as well as over two thousand years of the Church's missionary efforts of the baptized going forth to all in word and deed in the name of Jesus Christ. Over fifty years since the close of the Second Vatican Council, the teaching that holiness is possible for all (Lumen Gentium, 11) or the "universal call to holiness," seems to be still a teaching that is not fully received by all the baptized, partially because of an understanding on the part of some that growth in holiness needs a special and particular way or is only possible for certain people." - Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C.
Click here to read all of Fr. Frank Donio, S.A.C.'s blog post about Gaudete et Exsultate.
From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
"I want to personally express my deep gratitude to the Holy Father for his powerful, straightforward words in Gaudete et Exsultate. In this exhortation, Pope Francis is very clear – he is doing his duty as the Vicar of Christ, by strongly urging each and every Christian to freely, and without any qualifications, acknowledge and be open to what God wants them to be – that is 'to be holy, as He is holy' (1 Pet 1:15). The mission entrusted to each of us in the waters of baptism was simple – by God's grace and power, we are called to become saints." - Daniel Cardinal DiNardo
To read His Eminence's full statement, click here. His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo is the former President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston.
To read His Eminence's full statement, click here. His Eminence Daniel Cardinal DiNardo is the former President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston.
From the Archdiocese of Washington:
Gaudete et Exultate Resources: www.adw.org/holiness/
Articles
"Holiness means being loving, not boring, pope says"
This article from Cindy Wooden of Catholic News Service gives a background on the exhortation, as well as provides some key points the Holy Father makes in the document, shedding light onto the historical context of some excerpts of the document, in addition to emphasizing the personal aspect of the call to holiness and its necessity in the Church today. "Understanding Gaudete et Exsultate" This article gives historical context, citations, cross-references, and an in-depth summary of the document. Written by Allyson Kenny of Salt and Light Media, it provides a good understanding of the document in relation to the Church today. "Pope Francis and the Call to Holiness in Today's World" This article from His Eminence Donald Cardinal Wuerl addresses the importance of reading Gaudete et Exsultate. The Cardinal explains how one can better understand Pope Francis’s goal and explains the mercy of God in the context of the Christian faith. "Pope Francis issues exhortation praising the 'middle class' of holiness" This article from the Catholic News Agency focuses on how Pope Francis, through Gaudete et Exsultate emphasizes the call to Missionary Discipleship, as well as highlighting some of the heresies of the modern church. "Confidante says in new doc, Pope answers question: 'Where are we going?'" This article explores how holiness is something to be pursued within the context of daily life and how the Holy Father yearns to free the Church from the modern forms of Gnosticism and Pelagianism, and answers some questions in regard to what the document means for the climate of the Church today |
Placuit Deo
In a Letter to bishops, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith tackles two modern tendencies which it argues make the true salvation offered by the Catholic Church ‘difficult to understand.’ These modern forms of Gnosticism and Palagnianism are also addressed by the Holy Father in Gaudete et Exsultate, where he offers ideas on how to combat them in everyday life. "In 'Gaudete et Exsultate,' Pope answers 'Amoris' critics: Don't 'reduce, constrict' Gospel" This article from Inés San Martín of Crux discusses some of the 'scandals' surrounding the document and assists in putting them to rest. The author also gives an outline of the document, touching on and giving context to some of the key points of the document. "Gaudete et Exsultate: An Overview" A chapter-by-chapter overview of the document, providing key sections to articulate Pope Francis' specific messaging in each passage, with cross-references and summaries of each chapter from The Jesuit Post. "A guide to Christianity for the 21st Century: the new Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Francis" This article emphasizes the third, fourth, and fifth chapters of Gaudete et Exsultate and makes the connection between personal holiness and the Beatitudes. The article from the Catholic News Agency also offers suggestions on how to live out the call to holiness. "The Call for Holiness Is a Constant Battle, But We can Count on Powerful Weapons God Gave Us" This breakdown of the exhortation gives particular emphasis to the need of discernment in everyday life and how the missionary life of holiness to which we are all called is a constant battle with the devil's temptation. |