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APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION
OF THE HOLY FATHER
FRANCIS
ON THE CALL TO HOLINESS
IN TODAY’S WORLD
INDEX
« Rejoice and be glad » [1-2]
The saints who encourage and accompany us [3-5]
The saints “next door” [6-9]
The Lord calls [10-13]
For you too [14-18]
Your mission in Christ [19-24]
Activity that sanctifies [25-31]
More alive, more human [32-34]
TWO SUBTLE ENEMIES OF HOLINESS
An intellect without God and without flesh [37-39]
A doctrine without mystery [40-42]
The limits of reason [43-46]
Contemporary Pelagianism [47-48]
A will lacking humility [49-51]
An often overlooked Church teaching [52-56]
New pelagians [57-59]
The summation of the Law [60-62]
Going against the flow [65-66]
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” [67-70]
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” [71-74]
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” [75-76]
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” [77-79]
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” [80-82]
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” [83-86]
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” [87-89]
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” [90-94]
The great criterion [95]
In fidelity to the Master [96-99]
Ideologies striking at the heart of the Gospel [100-103]
The worship most acceptable to God [104-109]
SIGNS OF HOLINESS IN TODAY ’S WORLD
Perseverance, patience and meekness [112-121]
Joy and a sense of humour [122-128]
Boldness and passion [129-139]
In community [140-146]
In constant prayer [147-157]
SPIRITUAL COMBAT, VIGILANCE AND DISCERNMENT
Combat and vigilance [159]
More than a myth [160-161]
Alert and trustful [162-163]
Spiritual corruption [164-165]
Discernment [166]
An urgent need [167-168]
Always in the light of the Lord [169]
A supernatural gift [170-171]
Speak, Lord [172-173]
The logic of the gift and of the cross [174-177]
1. “REJOICE AND BE GLAD” (Mt 5:12), Jesus tells those persecuted or humiliated for his sake. 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).
2. What follows is not meant to be a treatise on holiness, containing definitions and distinctions helpful for understanding this important subject, or a discussion of the various means of sanctification. 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. For the Lord has chosen each one of us “to be holy and blameless before him in love” (Eph 1:4).
Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 19 March, the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, in the year 2018