VATICAN - Benedict XVI receives Poor Clare Sisters: “The silent commitment of persons like you who strive to put into practice the Gospel ‘sine glossa’ with simplicity and joy, rarely causes a stir in public opinion, but - rest assured - the contribution you offer to the Church's apostolic and missionary activity in the world is truly exceptional ”

Castel Gandolfo (Agenzia Fides) - “This, dear Sisters, is what the Pope expects of you: be burning torches of love, ‘joined hands' that keep watch in unceasing prayer, totally detached from the world, to sustain the ministry of the one Jesus has called to lead his Church. ‘Poor Sisters' who, following the example of Saint Francis and Saint Catherine, observe ‘the holy Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, living in obedience, owning nothing and in chastity’.” This was the recommendation made by the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI to a community of Poor Clare Sisters of the Immacolata Concezione Convent in Albano Laziale, whom he received in audience on Saturday 15 September at the Palazzo Apostolico at Castel Gandolfo.
The Holy Father said: The silent commitment of persons like you who strive to put into practice the Gospel ‘sine glossa’ with simplicity and joy, rarely causes a stir in public opinion, but - rest assured - the contribution you offer to the Church's apostolic and missionary activity in the world is truly exceptional, and God will continue to bless you with the gift of many vocations as He has done so far.”
The community has its Convent on the land of the Ville Pontificie, and the Pope thanked the nuns “for offering daily support of prayer and for intense spiritual participation in the mission of the Shepherd of the universal Church”. “In the silence of the cloister and in the total and exclusive gift of yourselves to Christ according to the Franciscan charisma, you render the Church a precious service”.
Tracing the history of the Convent, Benedict XVI recalled that many of his Predecessors, during encounters with the Fraternity of the Poor Clares, underlined “the importance of your testimony as contemplative nuns”. The Pope entrusted the Sisters to the intercession of Saint Francis, Saint Clare and many saints of their Order that they may "persevere faithfully to the end " in their vocation. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 15/9/2007; righe 24, parole 306)