Posted on 02/04/2022 6:56:10 PM PST by marshmallow
ROME – During a Mass for men and women who are either consecrated or in religious orders, Pope Francis urged those who have made vows to always find new joy in Jesus despite the challenges they face in dwindling numbers, the lure of worldliness, cultural resistance and conflicts.
In his Feb. 2 Mass for the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which also marked the celebration of the 26th Day for Consecrated Life, the pope reflected on the actions of Simeon and Anna in the Gospel passage describing Jesus’ presentation in the temple.
Simeon, he said, is first “moved by the Spirit; then he sees salvation in the Child Jesus and finally he takes him into his arms.”
Speaking directly to attendees, he asked, “Who mostly moves us? Is it the Holy Spirit, or the spirit of this world? This a question that everyone, consecrated persons in particular, needs to ask.”
At times, there is a temptation in consecrated life to see the vocation “only in terms of results, goals and success: we look for influence, for visibility, for numbers,” he said. However, God “asks for none of this,” but rather asks religious “to cultivate daily fidelity and to be attentive to the little things entrusted to our care,” the pope said.
Just as Simeon and Anna were moved by the expectation and hope of the spirit, Francis urged men and women religious to reflect on what motivates their own days, asking, “What is the love that makes us keep going? Is it the Holy Spirit, or the passion of the moment? How do we ‘move’ in the Church and in society?”
Even when good works are performed, at times “the canker of narcissism, or the need to stand out, can be concealed,” he said, noting that in other.......
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A new Pope would give me joy.
Francis has been undermining the contemplative orders continuously. That makes it harder for them to find joy.
The same folks that voted for Bergoglio will vote for the new one. "Meet the new boss, same as the old boss."
I urge the ImPopester to find Jesus.
Facing Dropping Numbers and Papal Backlash, Pope Urges Religious to Find the Joy of Decadence
Yours is more thruthful.
I think the Holy Spirit is moving the faithful away from this fraud.
‘As Francis often does when addressing fellow religious, he also went off-script at certain points to drop in more tongue-in-cheek observations. At one point Tuesday, he referred to the tendency among some people to look at physically attractive religious and their vows of celibacy as a “waste.”
“They say, ‘look at that guy, he’s so good,’ or ‘look at that girl, she’s so good.’ If they were ugly then, maybe, but they’re good, it’s a waste…” he said.’
I’m guessing that the senoritas of Buenos Aires didn’t spend a lot of time lamenting the “waste” associated with this churl’s vocation.
Actually the Pope needs to find Jesus!
He’s an usurper. I’ll find joy when the real Pope, Benedict XVI, is returned to official and Holy Primacy.
9 years ago, they got Benedict to resign because of health... 9 years later, he is still alive and spiritually and intellectually sound.
His longevity is a rebuke to Bergoglio and his conspirators.
Isn’t he clear on “gay”?
That should be enough. /
Agreed. The current pope is a dumb, leftist communist.
Young female religious the most joyful people I’ve seen in the modern world. And they have vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, so the world tells us they should be the most miserable. Also joyful - Young families I’ve seen at the Latin Mass. Women in veils. Lots of children. Obeying all Church teachings. No birth control. So, big families or periodic abstinence. They make sacrifices to create immortal souls. Flood the church Saturday afternoon for Confession.
Most miserable souls I’ve seen in the modern world. Human demons in front of abortion clinics. Never heard so many personal pronouns in my life - “My body! My choice! My rights!” They’ll literally spit at ya. The blindness, the bondage of following the fallen, Graceless human will.
“needs to find Jesus”
Needs to unfind the elites. Pfizer CEO. Jeffrey Sachs. Fauci, Gates, Soros, Chelsea Clinton, Xi, and/or their lackeys.
Suggested theme for upcoming papal Lenten retreat, some of the first words of newly elected Pope Benedict XVI: “Pray for me, that I may not flee for fear of the wolves.”
I’m not much on Benedict conspiracy theories. A man can accept the papacy or turn it down. Continue in office or resign. I would have been fine with him working in the office, writing and signing documents, making appointments, maybe appearing at the window once or twice a week and waving. Seemed to think John Paul’s example meant he had to be a globetrotter. Leo XIII died in office at 93, still very sharp.
Benedict, 95 in two months. Confined to a wheelchair? May not be able to speak anymore. Still mentally sharp but has taken three shots. So, as up on things as he used to be? No way he’ll return.
Wonder if Benedict’s resignation set in motion some mystery of iniquity thing in the Church. Wojtyla, John Paul in 76 in Philadelphia, the city symbolic of initial American freedom, said the final confrontation between the Gospel and the anti-Gospel was approaching. Jesus at the end was betrayed by Judas and denied by Peter. Not saying Francis will try to formally and officially teach error ( though I have no answer when I hear “Amoris laetitia” is “Magisterial”) but Bergoglio was elected on 3-13-13. Revelation 13. Fatima on the 13th six months in a row in 1917.
Not a numerologist as Kevmo accused me of being on another thread but do think numbers mean something to God. Holy Trinity 3 persons in 1God. Jesus started His ministry at 30. Jesus at 33 died at 3 on Good Friday after a 3 hour passion after a 3 (or 3 and a half year ministry?). 7 a number of perfection. 6 a number of great imperfection. Worst of Anti-Christ’s reign, 42 months. Not 41 or 43, but 42. So 6 x 7. 6 versus 7? Ultimate Perfection vs. Ultimate Imperfection. Ultimate Good versus Ultimate Evil? Blessed is he who perseveres until day 1335 (Dn 12:12). 12, another important number.
The traditional orders are flourishing. The “modern” orders have to send out begging letters to find support for their old ones. A few of the Traditional orders also send out begging letters but is because they have to keep building more capacity.
So the problems aren’t going away with Bergoglio.
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