During a General Audience, Pope Francis generally greets many people. However, rarely does he present someone with an accolade. This was the case for the 85-year-old nun Sr. Maria Concetta Esu.
She is a missionary working as a mid-wife in the Congo and has helped delivered thousands of babies.
POPE FRANCIS
“Dear Sister, in my name and that of the Church, I offer you an award. It is a sign of our affection and our 'thank you' for all the work you have done in the midst of our African brothers and sisters, in the service of life, of children, mothers and families.”
They both met during his visit to the Central African Republic in November 2015. Sr. Maria Concetta, has been near there, in Congo, for nearly 60 years and for her it as a great honor to help bring life into the world.
SR. MARIA CONCETTA ESU
Congregation of the Daughters of St. Joseph of Genoni
“It is a beautiful experience to be involved in the gift of life God wants to give. I'm the first to receive life into this world and hand it over to the mother. The greatest joy is to give one's life and thank the Lord through faith.”
She is very thankful to God, Pope Francis and her congregation for, what she sees, as showing her small contribution to the world.
SR. MARIA CONCETTA ESU
Congregation of the Daughters of St. Joseph of Genoni
“I will always be grateful for what the pope manifested to the world, through my smallness to humanity.”
During the General Audience, Pope Francis talked about everyone being one's brother and sister. For Sr. Maria Concetta this is an important message for people to remember.
SR. MARIA CONCETTA ESU
Congregation of the Daughters of St. Joseph of Genoni
“We are all brothers and sisters, we are all of the same father, the Our Father. We all say 'father.' We are all equal brothers and sisters: white, black, red. French, Italian and American languages. Let us all say Our Father, therefore, let us all feel that we are brothers, all sisters, for the good of humanity that changes.”
She is in Rome to visit her congregation and afterward will return to do her work in Africa. As Pope Francis had this to say to the religious sisters when saying goodbye.
POPE FRANCIS
“Let us accompany her with our prayer. May her example help us all to live the Gospel wherever we are.'
He also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to all those missionaries who silently “sow the seeds of the Kingdom of God in every part of the world.”
