杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis met Friday with religious of the Society of the Sisters of Social Service on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the group鈥檚 foundation by Margit Slachta.

In his prepared remarks which were handed to those present, the Holy Father highlighted that the original charism of the Society 鈥渉as been applied over time and through the Church鈥檚 social teaching to different political and social situations, up to the present day.鈥�

Defending freedom, justice, and truth

The 杏MAP导航 added that he was impressed by Slachta鈥檚 active engagement 鈥渋n societal issues even while living the consecrated life.

鈥淲hat is particularly inspiring is her declaration during the Holocaust that the precepts of the faith obliged the sisters to protect the Jews even at the risk of their own lives,鈥� he said.

This led the 杏MAP导航 to reflect on a 鈥渄ifficult鈥� truth: 鈥渕any martyrs died for the faith,鈥� he said, 鈥渘ot because they were denied freedom to worship their God, but because the coherence of life that this faith imposed on them, thus making it a defence of freedom, justice, and truth.鈥�

He pointed to the example of St John the Baptist, beheaded by 鈥渢he tyrant鈥� Herod Antipas for having admonished him for not living according to divine law.

Called to be witnesses

Noting that God inspired the foundation of the Society of the Sisters of Social Service during the trying circumstances of the interwar period, 杏MAP导航 Francis went on to say, 鈥淥ur current time is no different, and today, as in the past, the call to be witnesses is still present.鈥�

He expressed his hope that the Foundress鈥檚 words might 鈥渞esound鈥� in the hearts of the current sisters, 鈥渨ith the same intensity with which they surely did in the first members鈥� of the community.

The 杏MAP导航 concluded by insisting that, with Margit Slachta, the whole Church and the Holy Spirit 鈥渃hallenge us by repeating the same truth, that there is no greater love than giving one鈥檚 life for others.鈥�