Francis mentions the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul who have been running a dispensary for needy families in the Vatican for 98 years.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis mentioned the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul as well as all the Sisters who look after the sick even at the risk of their own life, during the Mass he celebrated this morning at Casa Santa Marta.
"Today,” he said, “feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, who have run, who have served at the dispensary of Santa Marta for 98 years, are here at Mass, renewing their vows together with the their Sisters all over the world.
“I would like to offer the Mass today for them, for the Congregation that has always cared for the sick, the poorest, as they have done here for 98 years, and for all the Sisters who are working at present, caring for the sick, risking their own life and giving their own life.”
In his homily, Francis reread the passage from Luke's Gospel about the angel's visit to Mary (Lk 1:26-38).
“The Evangelist Luke could only know this from the story of Our Lady. Listening to Luke, we listened to Our Lady talking about this mystery. We stand before the mystery. Perhaps the best we can do now is reread this passage, thinking that it was Our Lady who said it.”
The Pope ended the celebration with the Eucharistic adoration and blessing, calling on everyone to make spiritual communion.
“At your feet, O my Jesus, I bow down and offer you the repentance of my contrite heart that plunges itself into its nothingness and in Your holy presence. I worship you in the Sacrament of Your love, the ineffable Eucharist.
“I wish to receive you in the poor abode that my heart offers you. In anticipation of the happiness of sacramental communion, I want to possess you in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, that I may come to you. May Your love inflame my whole being, for life and death. I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you. So be it."