By Charles Igwe
On Monday, Pope Francis met with the leaders of four religious congregations who are holding their General Chapters in Rome. The audience included delegates from the Dominican Missionary Sisters of Saint Sixtus, the Sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary Most Holy in the Temple, and the Society of Divine Vocations (Vocationist Fathers). The Pope expressed his deep gratitude for their commitment and service to the Church.
In his address, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of discernment for both religious congregations and individuals. He explained that discernment is a vital aspect of life, whether it involves significant decisions or everyday choices. “Discernment is demanding and requires listening to the Lord, to oneself, and to others,” the Pope said. He highlighted that this process calls for “prayer, reflection, patient expectation, and, ultimately, courage and sacrifice.” He also underscored the joy that comes from making the right decisions, urging the leaders to help young people understand that true freedom involves taking risks with wisdom, boldness, and a spirit of renunciation, leading to self-giving and happiness in loving others according to God’s plan.
Pope Francis then turned to the topic of formation, acknowledging it as a shared mission among religious congregations. He described religious life as a “path of growth in holiness that embraces the whole of existence” and encouraged the religious leaders to persevere in prayer, sacramental life, and a deep relationship with Christ. He reminded them that only those who are humble enough to recognize they are constantly “in formation” can hope to become effective “formators” of others.
Finally, the Pope spoke about the crucial role of charity in the missions of religious congregations. He reminded the superiors that their founders, such as Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat and Venerable Maria Antonia Lalia, saw the faces of the poor as divine signs for their mission. “Jesus speaks to us through our brothers and sisters in need; in every gift we give to them, there is a reflection of God’s love,” Pope Francis stressed. He encouraged the leaders to rekindle the spirit of gratuitousness and selfless love that marked the beginnings of their presence in the Church. This spirit, he concluded, “is the source of light for our journey and the effective antidote for overcoming, in ourselves and all around us, the culture of excess, individualism, and social breakdown that sadly prevails in our time.”
