Vatican: Papa Leo XIV highlights the values ​​of the sacred family of Nazareth

In a meeting this August 23 with the participants of the general chapters of four religious institutes, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the values ​​of the Holy Family of Nazareth, which is “home of prayer, forge of love and model of holiness.”

This Saturday, the Holy Father received in the room of the Consistory of the Vatican Apostolic Palace to the missionary daughters of the Sagrada Familia de Nazareth, to the Daughters Institute of Nazareth, the Apostles Institute of the Sacred Family and the Sisters of the Charity of Santa Maria (sisters of the good advice).

First, he stressed that the assemblies of each institute are held in the midst of the Jubileo de la Esperanza and assured that each of their charisms, given by the Holy Spirit to its founders, is still renewing, “often crossing hard evidence” but always responding to the gifts of God.

“All this witnesses them, witnesses of hope par excellence; especially that hope that constantly guides us towards future goods and of which, as religious, they are called to be a sign and prophecy,” he said.

Pope León said that the founders of each institute completely handed over their lives to God, responding affirmatively to the call he made in spite of his different origins and contexts.

In addition, he said that a common feature that they share as religious is “the desire to live and transmit to the brothers the values ​​of the sacred family of Nazareth, home of prayer, forge of love and model of holiness.”

Citing St. Paul VI during his Holy Land Tour in 1964, the Pope commented that looking at Jesus, Mary and Joseph “the importance of the family, their communion of love, its simple and austere beauty, its sacred and inviolable character, its sweet pedagogy and its natural and irreplaceable function in society could be increasingly understood.”

He added that this “is very necessary” today, because families need more than ever to be helped, promoted and animated, “with prayer, with the example and with a diligent social action, willing to help it in their needs.”

“In this sense, the charismatic testimony and the work you do as consecrated, you can do a lot. Therefore, I invite you to reflect on what your institutes have done, over time, in favor of so many families,” said the Pope.

He also encouraged them to renew their commitment so that in each home they flourish “domestic virtues and love love alive.”

“Continue the works that have been entrusted to them Being family And being close to the people who attend, with prayer, listening, advice and help, to cultivate and disseminate, in the different realities in which they perform, the spirit of Nazareth’s house, ”concluded Pope Leon.