Fr. David's Padre Pio Blog

As Catholics we do not proselytize, but rather, we attract people to our Christian faith. These comments echo the words of Pope Benedict XVI, which the Capuchin friar, Fr. Luciano Lotti, reiterated in his February catechesis for the Padre Pio Prayer Groups.
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Attraction is reflected in the life of Jesus. People are drawn to Our Saviour by not only what He teaches, but how He radically lived by human standards; and yet, Jesus lived the fullness of life that we are all called to live. Jesus came so that we might have life in abundance (John 10:10).

The Padre Pio Prayer Groups have been characterised as “womb communities” (by Fr. Mascone, the Director General of Padre Pio Prayer Groups). “Womb community.” What do you think this expression can mean? Obviously, the womb places us within the meaning of “motherhood.” This image of “womb” and “mother” is rich in symbolism: in Advent we reflect on Mary as the Mother of Our Saviour. When we pray the Rosary we pray to Mary’s with the words, “Blessed is the fruit of your womb…” The other image of Mother is the Church herself, she is our Mother because she gives us spiritual life. The Church is also the Bride of Christ. Now, how does the female imagery of motherhood situate us as a “womb community”? We think of life growing in the womb, and in the case of the Virgin Mary and the Church, this is spiritual life, supernatural life, the life of Grace, the work of the Holy Spirit.
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As members of this “womb community” we grow together. And our spiritual life is inter-connected. Even though we may feel disconnected, especially during a time when a pandemic appears to have taken control over our lives by the laws regulating/restricting activities,” nevertheless, we continue to spiritually grow, regardless of laws because the supernatural life is not subjected to any law except the law of God.