Pope Francis received our new Superior General together with the new General Council and sisters who make up our Congregation's Chapter Assembly, in an emotional audience at the Vatican.
During the encounter, they reflected on the value of hospitality in the light of the reality of people suffering from mental illness or disability. In this context, the Pope commented: "At the beginning of your days there are two exciting stories, in which we can see how the audacity of founders and foundresses, under the action of the Holy Spirit, can accomplish great works, launching themselves where charity calls, without making too many calculations, with the holy madness of love. And if love is lacking, we are finished"!
The new Superior General of the Congregation, Sister Idília Maria Carneiro, thanked the Holy Father for his listening, encouragement and accompaniment and emphasised: "We have shared a very moving and beautiful moment. The Pope welcomed us with his smile. I asked for his blessing for the Congregation, especially for this new stage of service with people with mental illnesses and disabilities".
He also revealed that they shared a nice moment when they gave the Pope a gift prepared by a group of children from the Purísima Concepción Foundation in Granada. "It was a really fun moment, because the gift represented the different stages of the Pope's life. It was then when Francis saw the representation of himself that he asked: Is this me, well done, very good."
The General Chapter is almost over! A closing Mass on 26 May will open the way to a renewed path of hospitality for people with mental suffering, accompanied by Francis' blessing.
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