Pope Francis Praises Religious Life as a Total Gift to God Through Service to Others

Vatican City, December 5, 2024: Pope Francis on December 5, emphasized the profound nature of religious life as a complete self-offering to God through service to others while addressing the Canoness Sisters of the Holy Spirit in Saxony. During the meeting, he praised their vow of poverty as a commitment fostering communion and urged them to embody the mission of serving the poor, following the example of their founder, Blessed Guy de Montpellier, a 12th-century French religious leader.

The audience occurred months after the Pope officially extended the title “Blessed” to Guy de Montpellier on May 18, 2024, recognizing him as a "humble and modest servant" of the poor. Reflecting on the Canoness Sisters’ charism, Pope Francis highlighted the founder’s inspiration to reform religious life under Pope Innocent III’s guidance, focusing on selflessness and care for the marginalized.

Pope Francis described evangelical poverty as more than a life of simplicity and detachment, explaining it as a recognition of being “guests in the house of the Trinity” and as a way of living that aligns the soul with communion and service. He called the Sisters’ vow of poverty a profound gift to God, requiring the relinquishment of worldly securities to embark on a collective spiritual journey that mirrors the Church’s ultimate calling.

“Religious life,” the Pope remarked, “is a journey toward God, moved by the Holy Spirit, in which we become followers of Christ the Redeemer—servants who welcome the poor and offer them the comfort of our charity.” He concluded by encouraging the Canoness Sisters to transform their hearts and communities into “living temples of the Trinity” through their steadfast dedication to charity and humility.

The Pope’s words underscored the enduring relevance of religious life in a world often marked by individualism, calling on communities to serve as signs of hope and unity through their selfless commitment to God and others.

Courtesy: Vatican News