His Holiness Pope Francis received in private audience Fr Saverio Cannistrà

Ciudad del Vaticano, March 16, 2014 (Communicationes).- His Holiness Pope Francis received in private audience Fr Saverio Cannistrà, the General of our Order.

They spent 40 minutes together, from 11 a.m. to 11.40. Afterwards came the ex-French President, Giscard d’Estaing.

Fr Saverio related, more or less in confidence, to the community of the General Curia that he

felt as a brother who was speaking with a brother.

First of all he declared the love and closeness of the Order to Pope Francis, for the work he is performing through his words and deeds. The Teresian Carmelite Order feel very honoured and he can rely on our unfailing prayer to bring to fruition the work he is doing.

Afterwards, they spoke about and discussed our sisters, the Discalced Carmelite Nuns, searching for the common good of our Order, which is for the good of the Church.

At the end, our Father General issued an invitation to him to come to Spain to celebrate the 5th centenary of the birth of our Holy Mother, Teresa of Jesus. This is an invitation also made

recently by the Spanish Bishops.

Fr Saverio gave a gift to the Pope of an album of photos of the ten foundations that the Ciudad de Dios have made in Colombia, thanks to the inspiration of Fr José Asterio. 

Through this album of photos, Fr General wanted to show the Pope how close God is, who seeks the best for all human beings, a closeness that is reached through prayer and through the desire to change sinful structures.

Finally, the Pope confided to Fr General that his devotion to Saint Therese of the Child Jesus has never been let down. Always, when he asks something from the saint of Lisieux, a

response arrives in one way or the other. The roses continue to fall.

THANKS Holy Father Francis, the Discalced Carmelite Order will always bring before the Lord your longings, your concerns, your hopes. THANKS, the Order rejoices in hearing what you had to say and of your closeness to our Father General. 

THANKS, you can count on our prayers.

Source: Communicationes,