Pope Leo XIV addresses Italian Augustinian monasteries, emphasizing true joy in divine union, humble charity, and synodal collaboration for a prophetic witness.
Newsroom (13/11/2025 Gaudium Press ) In an address delivered on Thursday, Pope Leo XIV met with participants in the Ordinary Federal Assembly of the Federation of Augustinian Monasteries in Italy, praising their collective witness to communion and urging them to deepen their contemplative lives rooted in the Rule of St. Augustine.
The Pontiff, himself an Augustinian, highlighted the federation’s synodal nature, where autonomous monasteries scattered across Italy come together to explore their shared charism. This gathering, he noted, exemplifies a commitment to listening and embracing diversity, offering a “prophetic witness of charity” in an era where dialogue and sharing are increasingly scarce. In a world growing less open to such values, the Pope emphasized, the nuns’ unified approach serves as a beacon of hope and mutual understanding.
Delving into the core of their mission as contemplatives within the Church, Pope Leo XIV outlined three pivotal aspects. First, he called on the religious to embody and proclaim the joy found in union with God. Drawing from St. Augustine’s teachings, he affirmed that true happiness arises from rejoicing in the Lord through love. “True joy for the human person, and especially for the Christian, lies in communion with the Lord—in that intimacy with the heavenly Bridegroom to whom you, by vocation, dedicate your entire lives,” the Pope stated.
He encouraged the sisters to immerse themselves fully in the rhythms of cloistered life, including liturgy, prayer, adoration, meditation on Scripture, and communal support. Such dedication, he assured, would yield personal peace and consolation, while extending a silent yet powerful message of hope to visitors at their monastery doors—one more impactful than any verbal exhortation.
Shifting to the theme of charity, Pope Leo XIV underscored the vital role of contemplatives in radiating God’s love to the broader world. By adhering to the Augustinian ideal, they disseminate the “good aroma of God” through lives steeped in silent prayer. He urged them to cultivate care and attention toward one another without fanfare, becoming exemplars of compassion wherever needs arise and opportunities permit. This “silent and hidden love,” the Pope observed, counters a society obsessed with superficial appearances by revealing the profound worth of humble, everyday acts of charity.
Finally, the Pope commended the federation’s practical efforts in coordinating resources among member convents, including the distribution of offices, work, finances, and personnel. Invoking St. Augustine once more, he reminded them: “What you desire is beautiful, and supremely worthy of being loved… Let this ardor lead you not to reject order, but to accept it, for without order one cannot reach what one so ardently loves.” This call to ordered pursuit, he suggested, ensures their aspirations remain grounded and fruitful.
Through this encounter, Pope Leo XIV not only affirmed the enduring relevance of Augustinian contemplative life but also positioned it as a countercultural force, fostering joy, charity, and communal harmony in service to Christ and the Church.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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