Pope urges Brazil’s 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: “CRB 70 years: Grateful Memory, Mysticism, Prophecy, and Hope.”

Pope Francis sent a message on Thursday to participants, encouraging their vocations to serve the Church in the Latin American nation.

In his message, the Pope prayed that the Congress of Consecrated Religious Life might bear “abundant fruit in the life of each religious community and the Church in Brazil.”

He said religious men and women have shown great commitment to proclaiming the Good News of Christ.

“I am grateful,” he said, “for 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.”

Safeguard gift of religious vocation

Pope Francis went on to recall that the “gift of vocation” must be safeguarded and cared for each day, so that men and women religious may bear fruit.

He praised the choice of the congress’ theme—“Remain in my love”—words which Jesus directed to His apostles on the night before He died.

“To live the divine call well,” he said, “we must remain in His love, through constant dialogue with Jesus in daily prayer and fidelity to the vows that beautifully express our consecration.”

Consecrated life, added the Pope, 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’ style of victory over our drive for anarchy.

Proclaiming Gospel courageously

In conclusion, Pope Francis encouraged Brazil’s consecrated men and women to live in the present “sustained by the mysticism” of their particular charism, while remaining committed to proclaiming the Gospel in a prophetic manner.

“I 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.”