Address to Council Members of Religious Congregations :

On Monday, 18 February [2008], the Holy Father received in audience members of the Council for Relations between the Congregation for Institutes of Con­secrated Life and Societies of Apos­tolic Life and the men's and women's International Unions of Superiors General.
Taking part in the meeting, held in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace, were members of the Execu­tive Councils of both groups, as well as Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secre­tary of State, and Cardinal Franc Rodé, C.M., and Archbishop Gian­franco Gardin, O.F.M. Conv., Prefect and Secretary respectively of the Di­castery in charge of Consecrated Life.
Various aspects of Consecrated Life today were discussed, and the positive elements and difficulties, expectations and challenges that Religious Families encounter in their Gospel witness were highlighted.
At the end of the meeting, the Pon­tiff addressed the participants. The following is a translation of the Pope's Discourse, given in Italian.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
At the end of this morning of com­mon reflection on certain particularly important current aspects of Consecrat­ed Life in our time, I would like first of all to thank the Lord who has given us the opportunity for this meeting, most beneficial for us all. We have been able together to analyse the potentials and expectations, the hopes and difficulties that confront Institutes of Consecrated Life today.
I listened with great attention and in­terest to your testimonies and experi­ences and I took note of your ques­tions.
We are all aware that in our modern globalized society it is becoming increas­ingly difficult to proclaim and witness to the Gospel. If this applies for all the baptized, it is particularly true for those whom Jesus calls to follow him more radically through religious consecration.
Unfortunately, the progressive secu­larization of contemporary culture does not even spare religious communities.
There is no need, however, to suc­cumb to despair, because despite the many clouds gathering on the horizon of Religious Life, as has been appropri­ately recalled, signs of a providential reawakening are being seen and indeed are constantly increasing, which give rise to comforting hope.

New breath of the Spirit
The power of the Holy Spirit's breath is being felt in the Church, inspiring a new commitment to fidelity in the his­torical Institutes as well as in new forms of religious consecration in tune with the needs of the times.
Today, as in every age, there is no lack of generous souls ready to give up everyone and everything to embrace Christ and his Gospel, dedicating to his service their existence in communities characterized by enthusiasm, generosity and joy.
What marks these new experiences of Consecrated Life is the common desire and readiness to share in evangelical poverty practised radically, faithful love for the Church, generous dedication to our neighbour in need, with special at­tention for those forms of spiritual poverty that are a marked feature of our contemporary epoch.
Like my venerable Predecessors, I too have several times wished to reaffirm that people today feel a strong religious and spiritual call, but are only ready to listen and follow someone who witness­es consistently to his or her own attach­ment to Christ.
And it is interesting to note that those same Institutes that have preserved or chosen a tenor of life that is often very austere and which in any case are faith­ful to the Gospel lived "sine glossa", abound in vocations.
I am thinking of the many faithful communities and new experiences of Consecrated life that you know well. I am thinking of the missionary work of many groups and ecclesial movements in which numerous priestly and reli­gious vocations are born. I am thinking of the young men and women who give up everything to enter cloistered monas­teries and convents.

It is also true today—and we can say so joyfully—that the Lord is con­tinuing to send workers into his vine­yard and to enrich his people with many holy vocations. To read more...