Treasure

In reading the Pope's Letter to Seminarians, I was struck by Benedict's words on piety.  Being an "overly devotional, pious person," myself, I was greatly heartened by his words.

I urge you to retain an appreciation for popular piety, which is different in every culture, yet always remains very similar, for the human heart is ultimately one and the same. Certainly, popular piety tends towards the irrational, and can at times be somewhat superficial. Yet it would be quite wrong to dismiss it. Through that piety, the faith has entered human hearts and become part of the common patrimony of sentiments and customs, shaping the life and emotions of the community.  Popular piety is thus one of the Church’s great treasures. The faith has taken on flesh and blood. Certainly popular piety always needs to be purified and refocused, yet it is worthy of our love and it truly makes us into the “People of God”.

We're a treasure.  Ah....thank you, Holy Father.  Viva Il Papa!