Pope to Theatines: Embrace renewal, communion, and service

By Christopher Wells

When Gaetano da Thiene, known as Saint Cajetan, and the early Theatines took their first solemn vows in St. Peter’s Basilica 500 years ago today, the building looked more like a “construction site” than the completed church we see today, Pope Francis said Saturday.

Addressing members of the Theatine Order on the anniversary of the event, the Holy Father recalled that at that time work had already begun to demolish the primitive basilica, which had existed for over a thousand years.

Courageous paths towards renewal

“Brothers,” the Pope said, “this is an image that helps us to reflect on the need, in order to remain faithful to our mission, to travel courageous paths of renewal.”

He insisted that “fidelity must be renewed,” adding: “there can be no fidelity that is not renewed; remaining founded on the old, yes, but at the same time ready to demolish what is no longer necessary in order to build something new, docile to the Spirit and trusting in Providence.”

“It’s a renewal,” he said.

A welcoming home is not built alone

Pope Francis then stressed the importance of communion, drawing again on the history of the basilica by recalling the “famous artists, the skilled craftsmen and the multitude of workers” who worked together to complete the church.

“It is also an important sign,” he said. “A welcoming home is not built alone, but together, in community, valuing the contribution of all.”

Finally, the Pope stressed the importance of service. “The most beautiful projects would not have come to fruition if people, rolling up their sleeves, had not set to work.”

Saint Cajetan demonstrated this, he said, “through the many works of charity that he promoted.” But it was Jesus, the Pope added, who taught us this first, “he who did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life” on the Cross.

Welcome renewal, communion and service with joy

Marveling at the beauty of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis stressed that the building is only a symbol of the reality of the Church.

“Five hundred years ago,” he said, “your founders did not devote their lives to a building site of bricks and marbles, but to that of living stones; they devoted their lives to the Church with a capital “C”; the Church, bride of Christ, people of God and mystical Body of the Lord.”

Pope Francis concluded his speech by inviting the entire Theatine family to “joyfully welcome, in today’s Jubilee, the intentions of renewal, communion and service.”

Celebrating 500 years

On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Theatines, on 28 August, a large statue of Saint Cajetan was brought from the parish church of Ħamrun, Malta, to the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle in Rome.

On Thursday, September 12, the sculpture arrived in solemn procession into St. Peter’s Basilica and was placed to the left of the altar of confession.

A papier-mâché work by the Maltese sculptor Carlo Darmanin, who completed it in 1885, the statue represents a mystical vision, which occurred in 1517, in which the Virgin Mary places the Child Jesus in the hands of Saint Cajetan.

For the first time in its nearly 140-year history, the statue has left Malta, where the saint is widely venerated.

On Saturday he will return to the Basilica of Sant’Andrea della Valle and on September 30 he will be taken back to Ħamrun.