Pope to Spain’s religious:
‘Be prophets of hope’
Pope Francis sends a message on Tuesday to the 25th General
Assembly of the Spanish Conference of Religious, inviting them to be prophets
of hope.
By Devin Watkins
Pope Francis is urging the men and women religious of Spain
to look to the future with “humble audacity” and to be “prophets of hope”.
The Holy Father’s remarks came in a message sent on Tuesday
to participants in the 25th General Assembly of the Spanish
Conference of Religious, known as CONFER.
“The Lord gives us hope with his constant messages of love
and surprises, which at times can leave us disoriented, but they help us to
escape from our closed mentalities and spiritualities.”
Men and women of hope
Pope Francis said no effort should be spared to better the
mission of consecrated men and women in Spain.
The Church, he continued, needs them to be prophets, “men
and women of hope”.
He said religious life is “full of opportunities,
enthusiasm, and passion”, despite some uncertainties and concerns.
These, he noted, include “fewer vocations, ageing members,
economic problems, challenges posed by internationality and globalization, and
the pitfalls of relativism, marginalization, and social irrelevance.”
Walk with young people
Pope Francis also invited Spain’s religious to face the
challenge of evangelizing young people and to help them listen to the Lord’s
invitation for their lives.
“Bold men and women religious are needed, who open up new
paths and present the question of vocation as a fundamental Christian option.”
The Pope said consecrated life means “walking in holiness”.
They are called to work tirelessly to live the works of mercy, he said.
“It is not a question of being heroes or of presenting
ourselves as a model for others, but of being with those who suffer and of
accompanying them, of seeking alternative paths, conscious of our poverty while
trusting in the Lord and in His limitless love.”
Finally, Pope Francis invited the religious men and women of
Spain to “live with the Church and in the
Church”, stepping outside their comfort zones to illuminate those who suffer
and despair with the light of the Gospel.
“Times have changed, and our responses have to change with
them.”
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