Pope Francis received the superiors and brothers of the Society of Social Brothers, including the central superior Magdolna Kövári, the Hungarian district superior Emma Németh, the Transylvanian district superior Homa Ildikó and the other members of the society present. The Holy Father urged them to face social challenges "only with the weapons of love".
On Friday, Pope Francis met with the members of the Society of Social Brothers on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the order founded by Margit Slachta. In his address to those present, he emphasized that the original charism of the company has been applied to various political and social situations over time and through the Church's social teaching, up to the present day. Referring to the centenary, the Holy Father stated that it was also because of this special event that they wanted to commemorate him next to the tomb of the Apostle Peter.
I can assure you that this is also an outstanding event for the Church, because for it all charisms are a gift from God. His Holy Spirit gives the graces that are most needed at every historical moment.
- said Pope Francis, and then added that this is the mystery: the gifts we receive from people, which we wrap with our own strength, get old and fall apart. However, the gifts of the Spirit are always renewed and revived and reinvented in all times and places while remaining true to their roots.
This is how we can look at the charisma that the founder, Margit Slachta, received 100 years ago, and which has been adapted to different political and social scenarios over time and through the social teaching of the Church until today. I was surprised that your founder was active in politics even as a consecrated life. His declaration during the Holocaust that the precepts of the faith obliged the brothers to protect the Jews even at the risk of their own lives is impressive.
Pope Francis announced to the leaders of the Society of Social Brothers.
The conditions at the beginning of the last century, which paved the way for the world wars with social changes, were decisive moments when God encouraged the birth of orders. The present times are no less important, and today, as then, the call to bear witness is still relevant. How wonderful it would be if Margit's words resonated in your hearts as fiercely as they did in those first sisters! His words serve as an encouragement to you, teaching you to face social challenges, as they did against Nazism, with the only weapon of love
the Pope encouraged the social brothers.
The advice of your founders, the Church and the Holy Spirit - always repeating the same truth - is that there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for others. The proof of this eternal newness is the social love, which I alluded to in the encyclical beginning with Fratelli tutti, and which permeates Margit Slachta's writings as well. May God give us the strength to be witnesses of this love, truth and justice in the vocation to which he has called us. We ask for this through the intercession of Blessed Sára Salkaházi. May Jesus bless you and may the Virgin Mary protect you
Pope Francis concluded his address to the members of the Society of Social Brothers founded by Margit Slachta a hundred years ago.
Source/Photo: Vatican News
