In a recent meeting at the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, Pope Francis addressed the participants of the 25th General Chapter of the congregation of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, founded by the Blessed Mary Theresa of Jesus Gerhardinger.

In his speech, the Pope urged the nuns to “continue being courageous witnesses of evangelical solidarity at a time when many experience fragmentation and disunity.” He emphasized the increased importance of this responsibility in light of the synodal path that the entire church is undertaking. The Pope views the General Chapter as an opportunity to “listen more attentively to the Holy Spirit and to each other to strengthen the bonds of communion.”

Pope Francis expressed his conviction that the meeting would enable the sisters to discern how to more effectively “witness the joy of the Gospel, especially in their educational apostolate and in the various forms of service to the people of God.”

The School Sisters of Notre Dame, a female religious institute of pontifical right started in Germany, with their statutes definitively approved in 1865, have over 3,000 members and are present in about thirty countries across Europe, Africa, America, and Asia.

The Pope praised their founder, beatified in 1985 by Saint John Paul II, as “a testimony of the transformative power of faith, the courage to forge new paths, and dedication to the education of young women.” He highlighted her holistic vision of combining academic knowledge with nurturing the spirit and forming compassionate, responsible, Christ-centered individuals.

Furthermore, Pope Francis pointed out that the theme chosen for the General Chapter, “Living a Prophetic Witness of Universal Communion,” is of “great importance in our time.” He added, “As women who profess the evangelical counsels, you have long been pioneers in embracing the prophetic dimension of consecrated life.”

This story was originally intended for the Spanish public in aciprensa. Later on, it has been translated and published here.