Speaking to members during the Passionists' 48th General Chapter, Francis stressed the need to engage "the streets, squares and alleyways of the world", calling it a "test of one's own joyful and fruitful faith".

He urged the Passionists to avoid becoming "inflexible and musty" and to seek "new paths and opportunities to facilitate encounters between people and with the Lord".

Tradition and modernity

Without renouncing established pastoral methods, Francis encouraged a more innovative, accessible approach to evangelisation.

"To go out in this way" he noted, "can only be effective if it springs from the fullness of the love of God and of humanity", emphasising the need for authentic compassion in mission work.

The Pope's remarks resonate with a broader call within the Catholic Church to balance tradition with contemporary engagement, aligned with his vision of an open, outward-looking Church.

Mission rooted in prayer

Francis highlighted the importance of prayer and the Word of God as the foundation for effective evangelism. He praised the Passionists' long tradition of daily devotions and retreats, seeing them as essential to inspiring "events of evangelisation".

"To create events of evangelisation" he said, "requires a constant rootedness in prayer and in the Word of God."

Universal mission

Emphasising inclusivity, the Pope described the Passionists' mission as one with "no exclusions". He encouraged efforts to reach as many people as possible, calling it a "desirable, indeed necessary" task, as "everyone...is in dire need of the light of the Gospel".

Francis' comments reinforce his commitment to a Church that is both grounded in its traditions and actively engaged with the modern world.

Source

• Vatican

Consider especially those who are now in their 60s, after a life of service to their church.

They were seminarians in the heady days of Vatican II when everything seemed possible.

They managed to survive the aftermath of was Humanae Vitae and continued to preach and counsel, to lead the sacred rites and to be faithful leaders of their flocks.

Some have directed retreats or preached parish missions; others have ministered to the young in schools and youth clubs; all have lived by the dictum that service to the least — the poor and mentally ill, the prisoners and prostitutes, the homeless and the addicted — is service to their god. But while their life has been exemplary, they cannot help being stained by association with those who have disgraced their calling.

In addition to this many priests see themselves as being under siege from an old guard in the Vatican.

As this is written, six Irish priests have been silenced so that they cannot hear confessions or officiate at baptisms, weddings or funerals.

There is some official term like 'had their faculties removed' but that sounds too painful.

Two are Redemptorists; the others are a Passionist, an Augustinian, a Capuchin and a Marist — all order men.

Tony Flannery, one of the Redemptorists thus silenced, has written of his experience. Continue reading.

Source: Eureka Street

Image: Eureka Street