Pope Leo XIV in his letter on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America offers several important points for reflection as men religious. One of them provides a good context for our National Assembly next week and our ongoing work as leaders.
“In my recent Encyclical Letter, Magnifica Humanitas, I wrote about working together for the common good. ‘Building a world in which everyone can flourish requires shared responsibility and courage. No one can single-handedly bear the weight of the challenges the world is facing’ (no. 13). We need one another, and we need to work together in unity to confront the challenges that the world is facing today.”
“We need one another, and we need to work together in unity.” As members of religious communities, especially as leaders, we often say similar words. What does it take to truly live them? It takes deeper reflection, consideration, and action. An individualistic spirit that can bring disunity sometimes occurs not simply with members, but also with leaders. Leaders in community life need to be bearers of unity, facilitating the collaboration of all. When we do not, it is to our peril since it is not in keeping with the consecration that we have made to God in our communities.
When we assist our brothers in more fully recognizing their need for one another and the great value of unity in Christ then we can “confront the challenges that the world is facing today” including the ones within our Church and in our religious communities.
| Frank Donio, SAC
Executive Director |
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This is an excerpt from the June 2026 Items of Note. Items of Note is a monthly email for CMSM members and partners. If you are not receiving Items of Note once a month via email, please email contact@cmsm.org.
