Embracing the Mission of Evangelization: Pope Francis Meets with Carmelite Sisters
Recently, Pope Francis had a special audience with the Carmelite Sisters Messengers of the Holy Spirit, urging them to embrace a life of prayer and evangelization in line with their rich tradition.
By Devin Watkins
During the audience, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of preaching the Gospel, reminding the sisters of St. Paul’s words, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” He commended the religious women for their dedication to the service of evangelization and spreading the Word of God, especially as they celebrated their 40th anniversary and elected new leadership.
The Pope stressed the universal duty of all Christians to share the Gospel with the world and cautioned against the temptation of gossip, which he stated hinders the mission of spreading the Good News. Instead, he encouraged the sisters to embody the welcoming spirit of the Gospel in all their interactions.
As Carmelites, the Pope highlighted the special mission of the religious sisters to integrate evangelization with a life of prayer and contemplation. He praised their commitment to following the ancient and beautiful Carmelite tradition, emphasizing the importance of combining missionary zeal with deep spiritual reflection.
Overall, Pope Francis’s message to the Carmelite Sisters was a powerful reminder of their calling to be messengers of the Holy Spirit, bringing the light of the Gospel to all corners of the world through their prayerful and contemplative lives.
