Pope to Canossians and Montfort Brothers: ‘Uniformity kills’

By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis, on Monday, addressed the Canossian Sons of Charity (also known as Canossian Fathers) and the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel gathered for their respective General Chapters.

The chapters are taking place as the two religious congregations celebrate the anniversaries of the birth of their founders, the Italian Saint Magdalene of Canossa (born in 1774) and French Saint Louis Maria Grignion de Montfort (born in 1673).

Chapters are moments of synodality and grace 

Introducing his address, Pope Francis highlighted how General Chapters are true moments of synodality and grace  “to be lived first of all in docility to the action of the Holy Spirit”, gratefully remembering the past, paying attention to the present in mutual listening and in reading the signs of the times, and looking to the future. with an open and confident heart .

“Past, present and future come into a Chapter, to remember,  evaluate and to move forward in the development of the Congregation,” he said.

We don’t need firefighters, but fervent ardour

Then, pointing to the theme chosen for their General Chapter “He who does not burn does not set fire", Pope Francis urged the Canossian Fathers to carry out their mission of serving the poor through education and charity with fervent ardour: “It makes me sad – he observed off-the-cuff – to see religious people who look more like firefighters than men and women with an ardour for setting fires.”

Open your arms to the poor, fixing your gaze on the Crucifix

He further encouraged them overcome the new challenges their mission faces today by fixing their gaze “on Jesus Crucified and on the eyes and wounds of the poor, ” , as their foundress did in her times. 

“Saint Magdalene – he said - showed you how to overcome difficulties: with your eyes turned to the Crucifix and your arms open to the least, the little ones, the poor and the sick,  to care for, educate and serve our brothers with joy and simplicity.”

Courage and listening

Turning to the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel, Pope Francis then spoke about listening and acting with courage, which is the theme of their Chapter.

The Pope remarked that these two attitudes require “humility and faith  and well reflect the spirit and action of their co-founders Saint Louis Marie de Monfort and Saint Gabriel Deshayes who, he recalled, also “left you a precious triptych as a compass for your decisions : ‘Only God’, the ‘Cross’ – carved in the heart – and ‘Mary’.

Diversity in harmony is a gift to be shared

The Brothers of Saint Gabriel numbers in over 1,000 members engaged in pastoral assistance, human and social promotion and education - especially for the blind and deaf -  in 34 countries. Noting that its international makeup has enriched  their institute, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of diversity as a “precious gift” to be shared : "Uniformity in a religious institute, in a diocese, or a lay group kill ",  he remarked off-the-cuff.  Instead, “diversity in harmony leads to growth.

Pope Francis concluded by thanking them for their work , again reminding them  that a General Chapteris a “family event, but also a Church event and a salvific event”