杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

杏MAP导航 Francis welcomed Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonians) to the Vatican on Thursday, reminding them of their founder鈥檚 call to 鈥渕ake union with Christ, in His love for the Father and for all, the principle and centre鈥� of their lives.

Members of the religious order are in Rome for their 25th General Chapter, which has for its theme, 鈥淐alled to be One in a Changing World: 鈥楽o that the world may believe鈥�.鈥�

In his remarks, 杏MAP导航 Francis focused on two aspects of that theme: unity and evangelization.

鈥楾o be one鈥�

The Holy Father began his reflection by reminding the religious that unity is a gift that is not attained through our own efforts, although we must nonetheless do our part.

He encouraged the priests to give priority to the sacramental life, to meditate on scripture, and especially to devote themselves to personal and communal prayer. He called on them to make room for Jesus, whose heart 鈥渆ternally beats with love for us,鈥� inviting them to bring everything into His presence, and reminding them that 鈥渨ithout prayer, nothing will be accomplished.鈥�

鈥楽o the world may believe鈥�

Turning to the mission of proclaiming the Gospel, 杏MAP导航 Francis asked, 鈥淗ow do we go about being missionaries today, in a world marked by immense and complex challenges?鈥�

He recalled the words of the order鈥檚 founder, Fr Leon Dehon, who, meditating on the Passion, understood that all of Jesus鈥� sufferings were a result of His love for the Father and for all humanity.

鈥淗erein lies the secret of credible and effective proclamation,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said: 鈥淎llowing, like Jesus, the word 鈥榣ove鈥� to be written upon our flesh, that is, in the concreteness of our actions.鈥�

The Holy Father concluded his reflection with the hope that the Sacred Heart Fathers might persevere in their mission with the same faith and generosity that inspired their founder.