The pope met with almost 700 religious who were reflecting in Rome about the identity and challenges of religious life.
CARD. JOÃO BRAZ DE AVIZ
Prefect, Congregation for Consecrated Life
“But today we speak of consecration also for married people, within the new ecclesial forms.'
The pope gave an off-the-cuff response on the elements that should remain centered in consecrated life.
POPE FRANCIS
“I thought of what I said during a trip to Puglia: the three 'p's.' They are the pillars that remain and will continue to remain in consecrated life: prayer, poverty and patience.'
According to the pope, 'prayer' helps them return to God, who has called them to that life. It also reminds them that they work for God and not for their own interests or institutions.
“Poverty” is like a wall that protects them from vanity and pride.
And 'patience' consists in confronting the little things of community life, even the sacrifice of oneself and carrying on one's shoulders the problems and sufferings of the world.
