Pope encourages Sisters of Charity to keep their charism alive

October 27, 2026

Pope Leo XIV encouraged members of the general chapter of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Jeanne Antide Thouret to keep alive their charism of Christ-centered charity.

“Dear sisters, the theme you have chosen for your work, ‘Rooted in Christ, on a mission in the world,’ is a very beautiful one,” Pope Leo said during the audience, which took place on October 26 in Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace. “It describes in a fitting way the essence of your consecration and of your apostolate.”

“To be rooted in Christ means, in fact, following the example of Saint Jeanne Antide, to place Him alone at the center of one’s existence and thoughts, growing accustomed to sensing and celebrating His presence at every moment, confident that, united to Him, we will grow ever closer to one another and be better able to help others according to His plans,” the Pope continued. “In this regard, I would like to emphasize another important aspect of the charismatic legacy left to you by your saintly Foundress: to pay attention to the integral good, spiritual and temporal, of one’s neighbor.”

St. Jeanne-Antide Thouret (1765-1826) founded the institute in France in 1799; Pope Pius XI canonized her in 1934.

 

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Further information:

• Delegates of the General Chapter of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Jeanne-Antide Thouret (Dicastery for Communication - Vatican Media, 10/26/26)
• Audience with the delegates of the elective General Chapter of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Jeanne-Antide Thouret (Holy See Press Office, 10/26/26)
• Pope: Sisters must care for people’s spiritual and temporal needs (Vatican News, 10/26/26)