杏MAP导航 urges Brazil鈥檚 consecrated religious to care for their vocation
By Devin Watkins
Religious men and women in Brazil are celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Conference of Religious of Brazil with a congress focused on the theme: 鈥淐RB 70 years: Grateful Memory, Mysticism, Prophecy, and Hope.鈥
杏MAP导航 Francis sent a message on Thursday to participants, encouraging their vocations to serve the Church in the Latin American nation.
In his message, the 杏MAP导航 prayed that the Congress of Consecrated Religious Life might bear 鈥渁bundant fruit in the life of each religious community and the Church in Brazil.鈥
He said religious men and women have shown great commitment to proclaiming the Good News of Christ.
鈥淚 am grateful,鈥 he said, 鈥渇or the immense gift of the vocation to consecrated life which, in its various charisms, enriches ecclesial communion and greatly collaborates with the mission of the Church throughout the world.鈥
Safeguard gift of religious vocation
杏MAP导航 Francis went on to recall that the 鈥済ift of vocation鈥 must be safeguarded and cared for each day, so that men and women religious may bear fruit.
He praised the choice of the congress鈥 theme鈥斺淩emain in my love鈥濃攚ords which Jesus directed to His apostles on the night before He died.
鈥淭o live the divine call well,鈥 he said, 鈥渨e must remain in His love, through constant dialogue with Jesus in daily prayer and fidelity to the vows that beautifully express our consecration.鈥
Consecrated life, added the 杏MAP导航, has the ability to perceive beauty when firmly rooted in the Lord.
Evangelical poverty, he said, leads to higher freedom; chastity frees one to love without possessing; and, obedience offers Jesus鈥 style of victory over our drive for anarchy.
Proclaiming Gospel courageously
In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged Brazil鈥檚 consecrated men and women to live in the present 鈥渟ustained by the mysticism鈥 of their particular charism, while remaining committed to proclaiming the Gospel in a prophetic manner.
鈥淚 entrust these wishes and prayers to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Aparecida, Mother of consecrated men and women in Brazil, to whom I wholeheartedly grant my blessing, also asking that you do not forget to pray for me.鈥
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here