Pope thanks School Sisters of Notre Dame for 'making Christ visible'

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Continue making Christ visible by effectively bearing witness to the joy of the Gospel in meaningful service to the Church.

Pope Francis offered this encouragement to the School Sisters of Notre Dame on Monday in the Vatican, as he welcomed them for their 25th General Chapter, taking place in Rome.

The Pope thanked the religious sisters for their great contribution to the Church, especially in education, service and spirituality.

Founded in 1833 by Blessed Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger in Bavaria, the School Sisters of Notre Dame (SSND) is now an international congregation of approximately 2,000 women religious. SSND live and minister in 30 countries spanning five continents and continue to “share in Christ’s mission to proclaim the good news of God’s reign.”

Recalling the Foundress' legacy, the Pope told the sisters,  "it is my hope that you will continue to draw inspiration from the legacy of your Foundress, Blessed Teresa of Jesus Gerhardinger, whose anniversary of beatification occurs on 17 November, the closing date of your General Chapter,"  especially as they gather "to give thanks to Almighty God for His blessings, past and present," and to "discern the future path of your Congregation."   

Blessed Teresa of Jesus Gerhardinger

Blessed Teresa’s life, the Pope said, "was a testament to the transformative power of faith, the courage to forge new paths, and dedication to educating young people."

Her vision, he noted, was "integral" and involved "passing on academic knowledge together with nurturing the spirit and the formation of compassionate, responsible, and Christ-centred individuals."

Moreover, the Pope observed, she “grounded the Congregation in the Eucharist, anchored it in poverty, and dedicated it to Mary.”

The Pope praised the sisters for walking in her footsteps.

Jesus' way of living and acting

This firm foundation, the Pope highlighted, has allowed the School Sisters of Notre Dame "to go out into the whole world" and "bear witness to the Gospel, making Christ visible by your presence, faith, hope and charity."

As women professing the Gospel, the Pope praised the Sisters for long having been "pioneers in embracing the prophetic dimension of consecrated life which “is a living memorial of Jesus’ way of living and acting as the Incarnate Word in relation to the Father and in his regard for the human race.”

"Your dedication in this regard," he said, "is a sign not only of the gift you have made of yourselves to the Lord but also of your availability to serve, in Him, all our brothers and sisters."

Courageous witnesses

The Pope told the nuns to continue being "courageous witnesses of evangelical solidarity at a time when many are experiencing fragmentation and disunity," and invited them "to discern how you can more effectively bear witness to the joy of the Gospel," especially through their educational apostolate and service."

Pope Francis concluded by thanking the Sisters for their visit and praying that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church protect and help them and be their sure guide on the path.  "I bless you and all your Sisters throughout the world from my heart," he said.

Pope Francis welcomes School Sisters of Notre Dame