By Verghese V Joseph –
On Monday, His Holiness Pope Francis received civil aviation chaplains from around the world in the Clementine Hall of the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
The Holy Father Francis greeted the participants in the international meeting of civil aviation chaplains, on the occasion of the 17th international seminar, organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, on the theme: “Catholic civil aviation chaplains and members of the airport chaplaincy at the service of integral human development”.
In his address, Pope Francis related his Apostolic Journeys through many airports. He said the chaplains and pastoral workers, provide pastoral care in complex and very particular situations. “Technological advances, a frenzied pace of activity and a constant flow of people all tend to create an atmosphere of anonymity and indifference in airports, making them great human outposts. Millions of people of different nationalities, cultures, religions and languages daily cross paths with one another. Each has his or her own story, known only to God, with its joys and sorrows, its hopes and troubles. In this setting, you are called to bring the message and presence of Christ, who alone knows what lies hidden in the heart of each person, and to bring to everyone, whether Christian or not, the Good News of God’s tender love, hope and peace. How much peace can be sown with just a sign, a word, a look!”
The Holy Father said that at airports civil aviation chaplains represent God’s ever-present love in an environment crowded with people at work or travelling for a variety of reasons. Sadly, airports do not have that kind of culture, a culture of gratuity, not at all. He urged them to open the doors to spaces and encounters of availability and gratuity. “Your witness, and the message you communicate in that particular moment, can leave a life-long impression. Availability is itself a powerful form of witness,” he added.
In this context the Holy Father related a story. A businessman, concerned about his business affairs, was in the airport. He went into the chapel looking for an electric outlet to recharge his computer. He found one. So he sat there for a whole, waiting for the computer to recharge, taking his time… Then a lay chaplain came up to him and said, “Do you need anything?” He said no, but the chaplain went on to say, “You did the right thing, because electrical energy is like God’s energy, it available to all” The chaplain started off that way, and one word led to another, and that man felt deep down that something changed. At that moment, he met Jesus. And immediately he went off to buy a copy of the Gospel and from that moment on – this was years ago – up to the present time, each day he reads the Gospel, in order to meet anew that Jesus he met in the airport. A true story, told to me by the person himself.
“We know too that it is not easy for pilots and cabin crew to balance their work with their personal and family life. Your presence and attentive ear is also important for them. Friendship, closeness, and the time you devote to them and their families, whether directly or indirectly, can be of great help to them,” the Holy Father added.
“We have just celebrated the feast of Pentecost. May the Holy Spirit give you his light and fill you with his gifts, so that you can take up your ministry with fresh energy and vigour. I entrust all of you to Mary, Mother of the Church, whose feast we celebrate today. In a particular way, let us invoke her under the title of Our Lady of Loreto, Patroness of Civil Aviation. May she help you to hold out the flame of faith to all whom you meet in your daily work, so that salvation can indeed extend to the ends of the earth,” the Pope added.