VATICAN CITY, JUN 15, 2000 (VIS) - The Holy Father this morning welcomed the Franciscan Sisters of Mary Immaculate on the occasion of their first general chapter. He said that this Jubilee year meeting "will help you to reflect with special intensity on your mission, following the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and he who best knew how, in our days, to make his spirit concrete, St. Maximilian Kolbe."
"Mary Immaculate was the inspiration for St. Maximilian Kolbe's entire life," stated the Pope. "And your institute, which, in addition to the three traditional religious vows has a Marian vow, is dedicated to Mary Immaculate; thus each religious consecrates herself totally to Mary for the coming of the Kingdom of Christ throughout the world."
"Imitate Mary's thoughtfulness in service to one's neighbor, seeking always to be assiduous in work and zealous in your apostolate. ... As consecrated persons, and in a special way as Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Immaculate, you are called to be 'signs of God's tender love towards the human race, and to be special witnesses to the mystery of the Church, Virgin, Bride and Mother'."
Pope John Paul remarked that Mary's response to "the divine plans, ... her 'fiat', was the central driving force of her mission. Thus, your 'fiat' to God will be the secret of the success of your mission. To be efficacious witnesses to the Gospel, especially among the poor and those in difficulty, it is indispensable that you abandon yourselves totally to the hands of the Lord and keep your hearts open to His divine plans."
He concluded by highlighting the importance of the Eucharist from which "come the graces which support missionaries in their daily evangelizing activity."
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