Continue to serve the sick with love, Pope tells women religious

September 26, 2016

Pope Francis received members of the Hospitaler Sisters of Mercy in a September 24 audience and encouraged them to persevere in their service to the sick.

The community was founded in 1821 by the Servant of God Teresa Orsini Doria Pamphili Landi (1788-1829).

“At times, in our days, a secular culture aims to remove all religious reference from hospitals, starting from the very presence of women religious,” Pope Francis said. “When this happens, though, it is accompanied not infrequently by a painful lack of humanity, truly strident in places of suffering. Never tire of being friends, sisters and mothers to the sick.”

“When you are close to every ailing person, keep in your heart the peace and the joy that are the fruit of the Holy Spirit,” he added. “On that hospital bed there always lies Jesus, present in the person who suffers, and it is He Who asks for help from each one of you.”

Pope Francis concluded by consecrating the institute to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Mercy.

 

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Further information:

• Udienza alle Suore Ospedaliere della Misericordia, 24.09.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• To the Sisters Hospitallers of Mercy: before the frailty of illness, there can be no distinctions of social status, race or culture, 24.09.2016 (Holy See Press Office)