Pope to Ursulines: “Make new
life” by attracting people to Christ
Meeting some 90 members of the General Chapter of the
Ursuline Sisters on October 3, Pope Francis urged them to “make new life” by
opening the doors to Christ and bringing a breath of new life to the ends of
the earth.
By Robin Gomes
Today, no one can say any more: "This does not concern
me". The problems of others are our problems, my problems. They no longer
concern only a people or a nation, but the whole world. Pope Francis made the
point to the Ursuline Sisters, officially known as the Roman Union of the Order
of Saint Ursula.
Our problems, my problems
Commenting on the theme of their General Chapter – “A Global
Community moving into new life” – the Pope said, “We find ourselves in a time
increasingly interconnected and inhabited by peoples who have come to be part
of a "global community". “Today,” he said, “no one can say any more:
"This does not concern me".
“The protection of human rights, the conquest of freedom of
thought and religion, the evangelization of the distant and the near -
beginning with oneself -, social justice, the protection of the environment and
the common search for sustainable development, the advent of a humanistic
economy, of a policy that is truly at the service of man,” the Pope said, “are
not ‘problems of others’, but they are our problems, they are my problems; they
no longer concern only a people or a nation, but the whole world.
In this regard he pointed to the burning of the Amazon
forest saying it is not just a problem in that region, it is a global problem.
The migration phenomenon does not affect only some states, but the
international community, and so on.
“Make new life”
In the face of this, the Holy Father urged the Ursulines to
focus on the hope expressed in the second part of their theme: "Let us go
towards a new life", that echoes the words of their foundress, Saint
Angela Merici: “Make new life.”
The Pope said it is possible to make new life by “opening
the doors to Christ and imitating him in charity, that is, in His becoming a
neighbour to every man and woman of every language, people and nation with
great respect for the diversity of the other, both cultural and religious”.
In their charismatic originality, he said they are called to
"make new life", to bring a breath of new life to the ends of the
earth, knowing how to be with responsibility in the midst of different peoples,
nations and cultures, so that the message of faith, hope and charity that you
bring may attract people to Christ.
Conversion and witness
He asked the nuns, to seek through a climate of
prayer, the appropriate instruments to pursue their individual and community
objectives without losing sight of the vast horizon of humanity for which Jesus
gave His life. This task, he said, requires a pastoral conversion of
structures, so that they become evermore mission-oriented and
"outgoing", to encourage the response of all those to whom Jesus
offers His friendship. For this, a coherent witness is needed, beginning from
personal conversion.
In this context, the Holy Father particularly encouraged the
Ursulines to continue with enthusiasm in their special charism of educating the
young, especially in thinking critically and discerning the pros and cons of
the means they use, so they mature in values.
Serious human growth in the awareness of values, the Pope
said, is only possible by combining education with the proclamation of the
Gospel, which is done primarily through personal witness.
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