The Pope: in a world divided by selfishness, sharing the gift of diversity

Vatican News

Pope Francis met on the morning of this Monday, April 29, in the Sala Clementina, in the Vatican, the Canossian Sons of Charity and the Brothers of Saint Gabriel and addressed them on the occasion of their general chapters and the anniversaries of the birth of its founders, respectively 250 years of Saint Magdalene of Canossa and 350 years of Saint Louis Maria Grignion de Montfort. The Pontiff re-read their experience in the light of contemporary times, often marked by “selfishness and particularism”: diversities, said the Holy Father, are precious gifts to be shared.

General chapters, synodal events for free

For both religious orders, the Pontiff recalled the importance of the Chapters which, quoting Blessed Pironio, are “family” events, but also Church events and “salvific” events, true “synodal events” of which he specified the peculiarity:

Moments of grace, a Chapter is a moment of grace, to be lived, first of all, in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit, making grateful memory of the past, paying attention to the present – listening to each other and reading the signs of the times – and looking with an open and confident heart towards the future, towards personal and community verification and renewal, that is, past, present, future, they enter a Chapter, to remember, evaluate and advance in the development of the Congregation.

Religious people are not “firefighters”

Francis confessed a regret, and did so in a joking tone to highlight his message, starting from the theme chosen by the Canossians for their discernment: “He who does not burn does not burn”.

I get sad when I see religious people who look more like firefighters than men and women with the passion to set fires. Please don’t be firefighters; We already have many.

Look at the crucifix and open your arms to the little ones

Recalling that the Canossians are present in seven countries, with members of ten nationalities, and that they are assisted by the Canossian sisters with an increasingly active and involved lay reality, the Pope urged them to look at the courage of the founder who worked “in a world no less difficult than ours”, to “make Jesus known and loved, who is not loved because he is not known”.

Saint Magdalene showed them how to overcome difficulties: with their eyes turned to the Crucifix and their arms open to the least, the little ones, the poor and the sick, to care for, educate and serve our brothers with joy and simplicity. When the path becomes difficult, then, do like her: look at Jesus Crucified and look at the eyes and wounds of the poor, and you will see that, little by little, the answers will enter your hearts with increasing clarity.

Use courage

In the Chapter, the religious of São Gabriel reflect on the theme “Listen and act with courage”. And on these words the Pope lingered, particularly emphasizing the courage of which he was speaking: “That apostolic parrhesia”. It is the courage “that we read about, for example, in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. That courage. And there is the Spirit to give us that courage, and we must ask for it.”

There are two attitudes – listening and courage – that require humility and faith, and that reflect well the spirit and action of Saint Louis Maria and Father Deshayes, who also left him a precious triptych as a compass for his decisions: “Only God”, the “Cross” – engraved on the heart – and “Mary”. “Only God”, the “Cross” – engraved on the heart – and “Mary”.

Internationality is good for the apostolate

The Brothers of Saint Gabriel are made up of more than a thousand religious, engaged in pastoral care, human and social promotion and education – especially in favor of the blind and deaf-mute – in 34 countries. Francis repeated that it is the Holy Spirit who creates harmony, because He is its “master”. And, the Pope insisted: “Uniformity in a religious institute, in a diocese, in a group of lay people, kills! Diversity in harmony makes people grow. Don’t forget that. Diversity in harmony.” Hence, the invitation to be prophets of welcome and integration:

Providence has also granted you the richness of a varied internationality: it will do much good for your growth and your apostolate, if you know how to live it by welcoming and sharing diversity in a constructive way, among you and with everyone.