His Holiness Pope Francis’ February prayer intention: For consecrated women
His Holiness Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of February, and invites Catholics to pray for religious sisters and consecrated women as they continue in their mission with courage.
By Devin Watkins
“What would the Church be without religious sisters and consecrated laywomen? The Church cannot be understood without them.”
His Holiness Pope Francis made that affirmation in his February prayer intention, released on Tuesday by the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network.
The Pope encouraged all consecrated women to discern how best they can respond to the challenges facing humanity.
“I exhort them to keep working and to have an impact with the poor, with the marginalized, with all those who are enslaved by traffickers,” he said. “I especially ask them to make an impact on this.”
Unfair treatment
Pope Francis also prayed for the many women religious who “show the beauty of God’s love and compassion” through their ministry as catechists, theologians, and spiritual guides, even when they encounter obstacles.
“I invite them to fight when, in some cases, they are treated unfairly, even within the Church,” he urged, “when they serve so much that they are reduced to servitude —at times, by men of the Church.”
When faced with these difficulties, women religious should “not be discouraged,” said the Pope. “May you keep making God’s goodness known through the apostolic works you do. But above all through your witness of consecration.”
Church’s gratitude
The Pope then urged all Catholics to pray for the women who have consecrated their lives to God, and to express their appreciation for their courage and mission.
“Thank you,” Pope Francis told the Church’s consecrated women,” for what you are, for what you do, and for how you do it.”
Vocational dynamism
The Pope Video for this month was produced with the collaboration of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG), according to a press release accompanying the prayer intention.
The organization brings together over 1,900 religious congregations, representing over 630,000 women religious throughout the world…
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