Pope Leo XIV praised the courage and fidelity of consecrated women, emphasizing their vital role in a world yearning for generosity.
Newsroom (23/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a heartfelt address on Monday, Pope Leo XIV praised the courage and fidelity of consecrated women, emphasizing their vital role in a world yearning for generosity. Speaking to a gathering of Discalced Carmelite Sisters from the Holy Land and members of the Sisters of Saint Catherine, Virgin and Martyr; the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate; and the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres, who are in Rome for their General Chapters, the pontiff highlighted the enduring witness of religious women who answer God’s call.
Drawing from the Book of Proverbs—“Who can find a valiant woman? Her price is far greater than pearls”—Pope Leo XIV reflected on the shared trait of courage that defines the foundations of these congregations. He celebrated the “strong and courageous … extraordinary women” who, through their fidelity to Christ, laid the groundwork for generations of religious women who followed. These women, he noted, lived lives of poverty, chastity, and obedience, some even embracing martyrdom in their service.
A Call to Humility and Divine Strength
The Holy Father underscored that the consecrated life, whether contemplative or active, is rooted in fidelity to Christ, nurtured through asceticism, prayer, devotion to the Sacraments, and intimacy with God’s Word. In a world often dominated by “immanentist” perspectives, he acknowledged that such dedication might seem like mere spiritualism. Yet, he insisted, the tangible works of these congregations—driven by “the strength that comes from God”—demonstrate their profound relevance.
Pope Leo urged the religious women to embrace humility, placing their trust in God’s strength to sustain their daily mission. “Remain close to God,” he said, “precisely in order to return to the sharing in the work of God in daily life.”
Honoring a Legacy of Service
The Pope paid tribute to the founders and early members of the congregations present, including Regina Protmann, Marie Gertrude of the Precious Blood, Marie-Anne de Tilly (alongside Father Louis Chauvet), Saint Teresa of Avila, and the hermits of Mount Carmel. These figures, he said, were “intimately united to God, and therefore consecrated to His service and to the good of the whole Church.” Their legacy, he emphasized, continues to inspire the mission of consecrated women today.
“This is the legacy you have received,” Pope Leo declared, “and which makes your presence here so significant.” He stressed the ongoing need for “generous women” in a world grappling with challenges, calling on the religious to carry forward this mission with courage and dedication.
A Special Tribute to the Carmelites
In a poignant moment, Pope Leo singled out the Discalced Carmelite Sisters of the Holy Land for their steadfast presence in a region marred by “hatred and violence.” He praised their “watchful and silent” witness, marked by “trusting abandonment to God” and their unceasing prayers for peace. “We all accompany you with our prayers,” he assured them, adding that their mission brings the Church closer to those who suffer.
The Pope’s address resonated as a powerful call to action, urging religious women to continue their work with humility, courage, and generosity, rooted in their unwavering commitment to God’s service.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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