Vatican City, Nov 20, 2020 / 04:30 am
Pope Francis urged members of the Passionist order Thursday to deepen their commitment to "the crucified of our age" as they mark the 300th anniversary of their founding.
In a message to Fr. Joachim Rego, superior general of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ, the pope challenged the order to focus on helping the poor, the weak and the oppressed.
"Do not tire of accentuating your commitment to the needs of humanity," the pope said in the message issued Nov. 19. "This missionary calling is directed above all towards the crucified of our age -- the poor, the weak, the oppressed and those discarded by many forms of injustice."
The pope sent the message, dated Oct. 15, as the Passionists prepared to launch a Jubilee year celebrating the foundation of the order by St. Paul of the Cross in Italy in 1720.