Third day of the Jubilee of Consecrated Life

Hope opens doors through seemingly impenetrable walls.

The third day of the Jubilee was marked by experiences that moved the heart to a commitment to concrete hope, incarnated in daily fidelity. The day began with the Eucharistic celebration in the Paul VI Hall, in which all forms of consecrated life participated.

Simona Brambilla, Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life; the testimonies of people who shared how they live and sustain hope in the midst of daily challenges; the intervention of Fr. Giacomo Costa, SJ, consultant to the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops; and a moving encounter with Pope Leo XIV.

We listen together to the Spirit

The Daughters of Jesus, present at the Jubilee, share with us: “It was a day to listen together to the Spirit, because mutual listening is essential. We remember the words of Pope Francis:

“Every musician must listen to others. If one were to listen only to oneself, however sublime one’s sound might be, it will not benefit the symphony.”

And the certainty resounded among us that God has a score into which we all enter. The synodal process reminds us of this force of communion that sustains the Church.

The testimonies gave a face to the hope that becomes flesh in life: to stand where existence is wounded, to accompany those who are alone, to care for vulnerable life and to make the Church a safe place. Hope becomes prophetic when we do not succumb to indignation and choose to build bridges between parties that threaten to break apart.

“Hope is like a road in the countryside: there never was a road, but when many people walk along it, the road becomes a reality.” – Lin Yutang

In this Jubilee we enter through a door. Jesus tells us, “I am the door, I am the good shepherd.” That door invites us to go out to meet, to cross over to those who live behind impassable walls. The synodal process is also this: a relational journey where doors are opened to welcome and include. The whole of creation speaks of this harmony between diverse forms of life; to enter together into the banquet of life is God’s invitation to all peoples.

A simple and warm meeting with Pope Leo XIV

The meeting with Pope Leo XIV was an expression of his simplicity and warmth, brief and prophetic. He reminded us that interiority, cultivated in prayer and communion with God, is the place where the best fruits of goodness take root according to the order of love. From that silent source springs the spark that animated our beginnings and that today rekindles hope. United to Christ, our little lights become part of the great plan of peace and salvation that God is weaving for humanity. In this time of synodal journey, the Pope invited us to be “experts in synodality,” living mutual listening, dialogue and participation as prophetic witness within the People of God. In a world that yearns for harmony and meaning, consecrated persons are called to be bearers of hope and peace, sowing communion where life is fragmented, and remembering that our trust is not based on numbers or works, but on the One for whom nothing is impossible.

In the afternoon, the various groups of consecrated life met in different places in Rome to converse in the Spirit according to their charisms. The day concluded with a prayer for peace, celebrated in different churches in the heart of the city.”

We remain closely united with all the Consecrated Life, pilgrims of hope on the paths of peace, who are meeting in Rome during these days.