Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on members of two prominent women’s religious congregations to ground their ongoing renewal and discernment in prayer and a personal encounter with the Risen Christ. Addressing the participants of the General Chapters of the Religious of Jesus and Mary and the Missionary Sisters of Saint Charles Borromeo, Scalabrinians, the Pope emphasized that fidelity and spiritual growth emerge from living in close relationship with Jesus.
During a special audience, Pope Leo XIV welcomed the Superiors and delegates of the Chapters, extending his gratitude for their devoted service and offering congratulations to the newly elected Superiors General. Highlighting the shared mission of the two congregations, he noted that while they were founded under different circumstances, both arose from a common love for the poor and a charism of compassion and service.
Reflecting on the themes chosen for the Chapters “Jesus himself drew near” (Lk 24:15) for the Religious of Jesus and Mary, and “Wherever you go, I will go” (Ruth 1:16) for the Scalabrinian Sisters the Pope remarked that these motifs beautifully illustrate the interplay between divine initiative and human response.
“In Saint Luke,” Pope Leo XIV explained, “we witness Jesus joining the disciples on the road to Emmaus, walking with them and revealing himself in the breaking of the bread. In Ruth, we see the young Moabite woman choosing loyalty and care for her mother-in-law Naomi, journeying into a foreign land out of love and fidelity.”
The Pope reflected on the founders’ journeys, noting that Saint Claudine Thévenet, Saint Giovanni Battista Scalabrini, Blessed Assunta Marchetti, and Venerable Giuseppe Marchetti all faced immense trials. “The secret of their fidelity,” he affirmed, “was their encounter with the Risen Christ. That encounter is also where your journey begins and continues.”
Pope Leo XIV emphasized that the Chapters are not merely administrative gatherings but spiritual opportunities for reflection and renewal. He encouraged the sisters to allow Jesus to “walk alongside you and help you re-read your history in the light of Easter.”
“In a Chapter,” he said, “true insight comes on our knees. Decisions made in meeting rooms bear fruit only when sown in prayer, silence, and attentive listening to the Word of God.” He urged participants to prioritize quiet reflection and prayer throughout their deliberations, reminding them that “only by listening to the Lord can we truly listen to one another.”
Drawing on the teachings of Pope Francis and Saint John Paul II, Pope Leo XIV reminded the sisters to recognize “the face of God in our brothers and sisters in need,” and to perceive each person as “a promise, a hope, an epiphany of the divine presence.” He encouraged courage in embracing the vulnerable, saying that fidelity to God may require venturing beyond comfort zones and walking new paths in service to others.
The Pope’s address underscored that spiritual renewal, fidelity, and authentic leadership in religious life are deeply rooted in personal encounters with Christ and a commitment to the marginalized, affirming the enduring mission of both congregations to witness compassion and hope in the world.