The strength of consecrated life lies in “sharing fraternal life, prayer, and service to others, ” said Pope Francis on 17 April during an audience in the Vatican with a delegation from the Community of the Beatitudes in the framework of its 50th anniversary.
At the beginning of his speech, the Pontiff thanked them for their apostolate work in favor of the young and the marginalized, and reminded them: “The experience of Pentecost is the heart of your spiritual life.”
For Pope Francis, this is expressed ” in the constant search for union with God, which is realized in the daily celebration of the Eucharist, in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, in the life of prayer according to Carmelite spirituality and in the search of continuous prayer according to the spirituality of the Eastern Churches”.
The Pontiff defined the service of this community as “a gift for the Church and the world”, adding that “all this is a reason for thanksgiving to God”.
“It is important that those who suffer and feel alone can find places to be welcomed and listened to, and you do it generously,” the Holy Father pointed out.
Speaking of another aspect of his apostolate – that of specific missions – he stressed: ” This commitment demonstrates your openness to the needs of young people and your availability to take the Word of God to any place and circumstance.”
“Your community, founded on a spirituality of contemplation, prayer and mission, makes a valuable contribution to interreligious dialogue, the promotion of peace and the defense of human rights, and your witness is a source of inspiration for many”, he told continuation.
Finally, he invited those present to persevere in their mission ” with zeal and without fear “, and encouraged them to maintain their “commitment to the formation of the young generations and to interreligious dialogue, especially with our Muslim brothers and sisters”.