CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 16, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI told a community of women religious consecrated to prayer that even if the world does not speak of them, their lives are essential for the Church and society.
Saturday morning at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, the Pope received the Poor Clares of the Immaculate Conception Monastery, from the nearby town of Albano Laziale.
In his words of welcome the Holy Father said that "in the silence of the cloister and in the total and complete gift of yourselves to Christ according to the Franciscan charism, you render a precious service to the Church."
Benedict XVI explained to the women religious that which is expected of them: "That you be burning torches of love, ‘hands joined’ vigilantly in unceasing prayer, totally detached from the world, to support the ministry of him whom Jesus called to guide his Church."
You are "‘poor sisters' who, following the example of St. Francis and St. Clare, observe ‘the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience, without anything of your own, and in chastity,'" the Pope added.
"Public opinion does not always acknowledge the silent commitment of those who, like you, try to put the Gospel ‘without gloss’ into practice with simplicity and joy," he affirmed. "But -- be certain -- the contribution that you make to the apostolic and missionary work of the Church in the world is truly extraordinary, and God will continue to bless you with the gift of many vocations, as he has already done."
