The well known medieval Cistercian Abbot, Saint Aelred of Rievaulx (1110-1167) is one of the most illustrious Christian authors within the history of Christianity who spoke at length about friendship. His God given wisdom on the subject is really remarkable.

For Saint Aelred friendship is invaluable in life. Thus he writes: “No medicine is more valuable, none more efficacious, none better suited to the cure of all our temporal ills than a friend to whom we may turn for consolation in time of trouble, and with whom we may share our happiness in time of joy”. The value of friendship resides in itself. “The reward of friendship is itself. The man who hopes for anything else does not understand what true friendship is”.

The essence of friendship is found in the love that the friend gives. “What brings joy to the heart is not so much the friend’s gift as the friend’s love”. And the gift of friendship is when friends share what they go through with one another. Jesus, the friend par excellence, teaches us this when he told us: “I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you” (Jn 15, 15).

Friendship is the treasure that makes our life human and liveble. Let us cherish, develop and protect it.

Fr Mario Attard OFM Cap