“What would the Church be without consecrated religious and laywomen? One cannot understand the Church without them,” asks the Pontiff.
Vatican City (02/02/2022 09:59, Gaudium Press) The Vatican released a video on Tuesday, February 1, with Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for this month. The Pontiff asks for special prayers “for religious and consecrated women, thanking them for their mission and their courage, that they may continue to find new answers to the challenges of our time.”
What would become of the Church without consecrated women and men religious?
“What would the Church be without consecrated religious and laywomen? One cannot understand the Church without them,” says the Holy Father in his message, appreciating the role of women dedicated to consecrated life. According to statistics published by Agenzia Fides, there are more than 630,000 women currently serving in the Church Worldwide.
Francis encouraged consecrated women to discern and select what is suitable for their mission while facing the world’s challenges. “I urge you to continue working especially with the poor, the marginalized, all those who are enslaved by traffickers; I ask you specifically to act on these problems,” he said.
The role of consecrated women and men in society
The Pope highlighted the role of consecrated women and men religious in society; working with the needy and marginalized; contributing intellectually by teaching in universities; participating in international summits, and mediating political crises.
Finally, the Pontiff urged women and men religious to continue showing the “beauty of God’s love and compassion as catechists, theologians, spiritual companions” fighting when they are treated unjustly, sometimes by men of the Church, having their service, reduced to servitude. “Do not be discouraged. Continue to make God’s goodness known through the apostolic works you do. But above all, through the witness of consecration,” he concluded. (EPC)
Compiled by Gustavo Kralj
