Vatican City, May 2, 2016 / 14:15 pm
Pope Francis on Monday met with representatives of a centuries-old Marian order of priests and brothers dedicated to mercy, encouraging them to persevere in their service to the marginalized by clinging to the "strength and joy" of the Gospel.
"We do not rely on our own strength, but instead we always entrust ourselves to divine mercy," the Holy Father told members of the Mercedarian Order during a May 2 audience in the Vatican's Consistory Hall.
"If God is present in your lives, the joy of bringing his Gospel will be your strength and your joy. God has also called us to serve within the Church and in the Community. Let us keep to this common path," he said.
The Mercedarians are in Rome ahead of their 800 year anniversary in 2018 for their General Chapter where they will elect new governing body and decide on projects for the next six years.