PAPAL MESSAGES FOR THREE FEMALE RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS

VATICAN CITY, JUL 6, 2001 (VIS) - Just before noon today in the Clementine Hall, the Holy Father met with the participants in the General Chapters of the following religious congregations: Teaching Franciscan Sisters, Third Order Regular, Sisters Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament and the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. He spoke briefly and handed each congregation a Message specific to its history, its ministry and its charism.

He reminded the Teaching Franciscans, whose religious family was founded in 1843 in Graz, Austria, that "your Rule revolves around four basic hinges: penance, contemplative prayer, poverty and being Minorites" and also gives "attention to the great values of simplicity and fraternity which make you ready to go forth and meet every form of poverty and to build peace in every social context." He highlighted their increased missionary activity and their specific charism of education which "demands creativity and generosity to reach people everywhere."

The Pope's Message for the Sisters Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament notes that their 14th General Chapter is focussing on "sharing bread, the Word and the mission according to Christ's example. ... The specific charism that distinguishes your presence in the Church ... is to adore 'with the most ardent love the most august sacrament' and to draw 'from it the flame of charity towards your neighbor'. It is not only a question of a spiritual guide but of a precious program for life. In the Eucharist the Christian reaches that most complete spiritual intimacy with the Lord of life and, supported by Him, is raised to contemplating the love of the very mystery itself of the Most Holy Trinity."

In the Message to the 21st General Chapter of the Sisters of the Holy Family, John Paul II exhorts the participants to "help families open themselves to Christ." He adds that, thanks to their service "families can meet in the Holy Family of Nazareth a model for their own lives and their own behavior."

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