On Wednesday, October 2nd the members of the
Ursuline General Chapter had an audience with Pope Francis. His message to them is inspiring for all of
us.
Pope to Ursulines: “Make new life” by attracting people to
Christ 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 neighbor to every man and woman of every language, people and nation
with great respect for the diversity of the other, both cultural and
religious”. n 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 ever more 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.--Vatican News
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