"The secularization process continuing to affect contemporary culture doesn’t spare even religious communities". It was the alarm cry launched by the Pope during the audience, to the members of the Council for relationships between the Congregation for the Institutes of consecrated life, the associations of apostolic life, and the International Unions of male and female Superiors general. According to Benedict XVI, however, "one should not become discouraged", because "on the one hand, today there are more and more clouds on the horizon of religious life, but on the other hand, there are constantly growing signs of both a providential reawakening", in the shape of "a new commitment of faithfulness" to historical Institutions, and of "new forms of religious consecration in line with current needs". "Today, as in every other epoch stated the Pope, the generous souls who are ready to abandon everybody and everything to embrace Christ and His Gospel are not missing", in "communities marked by enthusiasm, generosity and joy". For the Pope, "the common desire, promptly shared, for evangelic poverty practiced in a radical way is typical of the new experiences of Consecrated Life; it is faithful love for the Church and generous dedication to the neighbour in need, by drawing special attention to those spiritual poverties marking contemporary times in a special way". (To be continued)
