To the Reverend Sisters
Oblates of Saint Frances of Rome
of Tor de’ Specchi

On 15 August 1425, the Foundress Saint Frances of Rome, after a life lived as an exemplary wife and mother, together with her first nine companions, gave a solemn oblation, consecrating herself to God in humble service dedicated to those who were afflicted by the human and spiritual forms of poverty of her time. Over the course of these six centuries, your ancient religious Family, inspired by the Rule of the great father of western monasticism, Saint Benedict, was a school of industrious charity, source of spirituality and ideal of the offering of self to Christ and to the Church.

This unique anniversary, therefore, is a joyful occasion for me to join you in prayer, beloved Daughters, who daily turn your gaze to him who gave his life for our salvation (cf. Jn 10:17-18), lovingly entrust your lives and the desires you hold in your hearts to him, so that his kingdom of light and peace may be built.

I therefore extend my cordial greetings to this monastic community and to all those who, together with you, commemorate this jubilee event, which is significant for the entire diocese of Rome.

Saint Frances of Rome, so beloved by the faithful, contiues to be a beacon illuminating believers of every age, making the fire of Christ’s love burn in the people of today. Our society urgently needs women like her: passionate about the Gospel and, as my venerable predecessor wrote, “inflamed with zeal for God, eager to serve the Most High in a spirit of humility and, as far as their frailty allows, to imitate the apostolic life in order to gain themselves for Christ and live in community and charity...” (Pope Eugene IV, Bull of Foundation of the Monastery of Tor de’ Specchi), souls who - as another great Pope, Saint John Paul II, said – “encouraged and strengthened by grace, even in their delicate sensitivity to the needs and inclinations of today’s society, know how to make choices of profound evangelical radicalism [...] characterized by austere discipline, joyful renunciation and generous oblation” (John Paul II, Letter of 15 January 1984). There are many aspects to her holiness. We can remember three of them.

The first is the zeal with which she undertook to generate Christ in the world and to make his presence strong and real with her witness of faith and holiness; the second is her docility to the guidance of the Angels, whose presence she cultivated thanks to fidelity to prayer and meditation of the Word of God, joined with her devotion for her patron Saints: Saint Paul, Saint Mary Magdalen, Saint Benedict and Saint Francis de Sales – under the guidance of spiritual giants such as Saint John Leonardi and Saint Philip Neri, who accompanied her on her journey. The third virtue is her commitment to the unity of the Church, for which she devoted herself in prayer and action.

All this is continued by your presence as an “open” monastery – as the founding Mother wished – in the heart of the Eternal City, like a lamp for the history and journey of a people. Over the centuries, numerous devotees of the Saint have come to this sublime place, rich in art and spirituality, to draw inner peace and savour the love of God, and even today, in such a frenetic and opulent society, there is still a great need for oases like this.

I therefore encourage you to revive your charism, trusting in the aid of the Holy Spirit who, even amid the challenges of the present time, will strengthen you and help you to continue your mission for the good of the Church.

The Mother was fond of this beautiful prayer:

Tenuisti manum dexteram meam:

in voluntate tua deduxisti me:

et cum gloria assumpsisti me.

“You held my right hand in yours, you led me into your will and welcomed me into glory”.

May this also be your plan and prophecy, in trust and in the ever-living desire for the eternal homeland.

Dear daughters, feel that you are united with the Church, which looks upon you with special affection, especially at this time when you are entrusted to the paternal care of our Venerable Brother Cardinal Fortunato Frezza, called to accompany and support you on this journey so that together you may look to the future with hope and docility.

With these sentiments, as I offer my best wishes for the jubilee celebrations, I entrust you to the intercession of the Virgin Mary Assumed into Heaven, the Advocata Urbis and the Patron Saints, and I impart to you the Apostolic Blessing, which I gladly extend to all those who take part with you in giving thanks, trusting in your prayers for me.

From the Vatican, 15 August 2025

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

LEO PP. XIV

___________________________

Holy See Press Office Bulletin, 15 August 2025