Pope Francis Urges Religious Orders to Embrace Obedience as Love,Listen for God in Those in need
Vatican City – Pope Francis delivered a powerful message to leaders of several Catholic religious orders on Thursday,emphasizing that true obedience is not submission,but a profound act of love and attentive listening. Addressing participants of the General Chapters and Assemblies of the Most Precious Blood Missionaries, the Society of Mary (Marists), the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, and the Ursulinas of Mary Immaculate, the Pope urged them to discern the voice of God within the needs of the vulnerable.
“Obedience, in its deepest meaning of active and generous listening of the other, is a great act of love,” the Pope stated, highlighting a core tenet of consecrated life. He challenged the religious leaders to move beyond a modern perception of obedience as a restriction of freedom, and instead embrace it as a ”school of freedom in love” - a willingness to sacrifice self for the growth and well-being of others.
The meeting,held at the Vatican,provided an chance for Pope Francis to reflect on the historical foundations and enduring values of these diverse congregations. He lauded the “splendid and varied” testimonies of the institutes, noting their origins in responding to the specific needs of their times, guided by the Holy Spirit.
He specifically cited examples of pioneering founders: Blessed Jesus Morello, who championed the education of young women
