WELCOME TO CARDINAL
HIS MOST REVEREND EMINENCE ANGELO SCOLA
PATRIARCH OF VENICE

(Catanzaro, Palasport “Gallo”, May 12, 2006)

Most reverend Eminence
Welcome among us. In the joy of the Risen Lord that hovers over the Church gathered in his name, I extend to you the greetings of all the Apostolic Movement and of those who have taken part in this our first National Convention.
The Church of God in Italy, in October, will live in Verona a particular moment of her life. She will be called to reflect on her mission to witness to the Risen Christ in the world. She will ask herself by what means her action will have to create in the hearts of all the hope that springs from the mystery of Christ, our Lord.
The Apostolic Movement, participating in the life of the parishes and dioceses are already living this intense preparation on the local church level. However, it wished that every one of its members lived some special moments of preparation even in that an ecclesial Movement, due to its specific charisma.
The first night we listened to His Excellency Archbishop Antonio Ciliberti, Metropolitan Archbishop of this Archdiocese of Catanzaro – Squillace, where the Apostolic Movement was founded on November 3, 1979, through Mrs. Maria Marino, its Inspirer – Founder; and from where it starts to spread its branches in Italy and worldwide.
The second day His Most Reverend Excellency Monsignor Vittorio Mondello, Metropolitan Archbishop of Reggio Calabria – Bova, President of the Calabria Episcopal Conference; dwelt with us.
This last evening is dedicated to You, eminence. The theme: “Witnesses of Risen Jesus, Hope of the World: Spirit, Truth, Communion, and Christian Witness,” will take us to the very heart of Christ, in whose heart must always live who is called not only to testify the gospel of salvation among his brothers, but especially to be an expert builder of the hope that comes from the Word of Jesus the Lord.
The Apostolic Movement, Eminence, builds hope through the announcement and the remembrance of the Word of Jesus: clothed with the fullness of truth that reigns in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church; enlivened by the grace which is drawn in the Eucharist, and in every other sacrament of the Church; sustained by a constant prayer; comforted by the assistance of the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, whom we all call upon with the Holy Rosary. We entrust our mission to the Angels of Heaven. We ask the saints to be able to imitate them in their great love for the service of salvation.
I greet and thank those who wanted to share with us this great joy: Excellencies the Bishops, Reverend Priests, Deacons, male and female Religious Persons, Consecrated Lay Women, holy people of God, Civil and Military Authorities.
I witness to you Eminence the goodness of the tree of the Apostolic Movement. It is firmly planted in the garden of the Church of God. Today, you are visiting this tree to offer it the gift of your wise, learned, enlightened, and authoritative word.
In thanking you for this great gift, I ask the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, the Angels, and the Saints to intercede for you in Jesus Christ our Lord, Hope of the glory, and salvation of the world.

Catanzaro May 12, 2006

Monsignor Costantino Di Bruno
Central Ecclesiastical Assistant of the Apostolic Movement