During an audience at the Vatican, Pope Leo XVI met with the Sisters of Saint Catherine, Virgin and Martyr, the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate, the Sisters of Saint Paul of Chartres, and the Discalced Carmelites of the Holy Land. To all of them, he addressed these words:
POPE LEO XIV
We are speaking of extraordinary women who went on mission in difficult times; who dove into the moral and material misery in the most neglected environments of society; who, in order to stay close to those in need, accepted the risk of losing their lives — and indeed lost them — victims of brutal violence in times of war.
He mentioned examples such as María Gertrudis, Marie-Anne de Tilly, and Saint Teresa of Ávila, whom he described as 'strong and courageous women' who paved the way for many others and who remain today a model of generous women.
The Pontiff also gave a special greeting to the Discalced Carmelites of the Holy Land:
POPE LEO XIV
What you are doing is important — with your watchful and silent presence in places sadly torn apart by hatred and violence, with your witness of trusting abandonment to God, and with your constant invocation for peace.
The Pope concluded by thanking them “for the good they do in so many countries and in so many contexts,” and assured all the consecrated women of his prayers.
BAM
Trans. CRT
