Pope Francis has urged members of various religious orders to unite in prayer for the future of their vocations.
During a meeting on Monday morning, the Pope addressed representatives from six religious congregations: the Minims, Clerics Regular Minor, Augustinian Sisters of Divine Love, Clerics of Saint Viator, Reparatrix Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and Missionary Sisters of Saint Anthony Mary Claret.
These members were in Rome for their General or Provincial Chapters.
The Holy Father inquired about the number of novices in their orders, emphasizing the need for "children" to ensure the survival of their congregations. "It is asking about the future of your congregations," he stated, highlighting the importance of nurturing new vocations.
Pope Francis focused on two key elements of the spiritual life for consecrated men and women: beauty and simplicity.
He remarked that the histories of each order are rich with beauty, reflecting the grace and presence of God.
He encouraged his audience to embrace the legacy of their founders, who had a unique vision of beauty and found innovative ways to share it with the world.
"Take up the witness," he urged, to continue the work of those who came before and convey Christ's profound message in contemporary society.
The Pope also emphasized the founders' deliberate choice to prioritize what is essential and to let go of the unnecessary. They embraced the transformative power of God's love, revealed in the Gospel, allowing themselves to be shaped daily by its simplicity.
Pope Francis encouraged religious members to seek the gift of simplicity through prayer, urging them to remove any obstacles that may hinder attentive listening and harmony during their discernment process.
He highlighted the importance of understanding current needs and making informed decisions for the future.
Additionally, the Pope underscored the significance of religious commitments to poverty and obedience, which enable individuals to fulfill the divine mission entrusted to them by God the Father.
Pope Francis stressed the importance of prayer, particularly prayer directed towards Christ in the Tabernacle. He highlighted the value of heartfelt prayer that guides us on the path of the Lord.
In his closing statements, Pope Francis expressed gratitude and offered words of encouragement, reminding the attendees to pray for vocation.
"You must have successors who will carry your charisms forward," he emphasized, urging them to "pray, pray!" and to be attentive to the formation of their fellow sisters and brothers.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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