A mission with a historical scope

The Church is present in the world as a sign of unity for the entire human family. She recognizes today’s questions and challenges as the current setting in which to carry out her particular vocation of listening, dialogue and service, and of being responsive to everything concerning the lives of contemporary men and women.

This involvement in people’s lives helps the Church understand ever more clearly that her mission has a historical scope and entails a responsibility for the way in which social relations are built. For this reason, she cannot consider herself a stranger to the forces shaping society. On the contrary, the Church actively participates in the processes by which society grows and is organized, and she offers her own contribution.

LEO XIV.Magnifica humanitas, 15/5/2026

The authentic reformers

Let us look at the history of Christianity, to see how history develops and how it can be renewed. It shows that saints, guided by God’s light, are the authentic reformers of the life of the Church and of society. As teachers with their words and witnesses with their example, they can encourage a stable and profound ecclesial renewal because they themselves are profoundly renewed, they are in touch with the real newness: God’s presence in the world.

This comforting reality namely, that in every generation saints are born and bring the creativity of renewal constantly accompanies the Church’s history in the midst of the sorrows and negative aspects she encounters on her path. Indeed, century after century, we also see the birth of forces of reform and renewal, because God’s newness is inexhaustible and provides ever new strength to forge ahead. 

BENEDICT XVI. General Audience, 13/1/2010

The Holy Spirit guides the Church by means of His chosen ones

Throughout history the Lord has continued to reveal Himself to the little and the humble, enabling His chosen ones, through the Spirit who “searches everything, even the depths of God” (1 Cor 2:10), to speak of the gifts “bestowed on us by God… in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths in spiritual language” (1 Cor 2:12,13).

In this way the Holy Spirit guides the Church into the whole truth, endowing her with various gifts, adorning her with his fruits, rejuvenating her with the power of the Gospel and enabling her to discern the signs of the times in order to respond ever more fully to the will of God.

ST. JOHN PAUL II. Divini amoris scientia, 19/10/1997

The example of those who have gone before us

It is not uncommon that, at the most critical moments, just as a gust of wind parts the clouds and reveals the star that will guide the sailor to harbour, the Lord sends the supernatural inspiration which can make one soul the salvation of his people.

Lift up your eyes, then, beloved children, […] and consider the great examples that have gone before you.

PIUS XII. Radio Message, 25/6/1956

Two founders who were able to read the “signs of the times”

This also happened in the 13th century with the birth and the extraordinary development of the Mendicant Orders: an important model of renewal in a new historical epoch. […]

The best known and most important of the Mendicant Orders that came into being in this period are the Friars Minor and the Friars Preachers, known as Franciscans and Dominicans. Thus they are called by the names of their Founders, respectively Francis of Assisi and Dominic de Guzmán.

These two great saints were able to read “the signs of the times” intelligently, perceiving the challenges that the Church of their time would be obliged to face.

BENEDICT XVI. General Audience, 13/1/2010

Timely help in the vicissitudes of every age

The all merciful God who has never failed His Church in its struggles with this world and who wisely provides timely help when various vicissitudes arise – although in the sixteenth century because of His displeasure He punished Christian people and permitted many provinces of Europe to be overcome by the darkness of heresies raging far and wide – unwilling to reject His own people He prudently raised up new and holy luminaries by whose excellence distinguished sons of the church were strengthened in the truth, and the heretics themselves were gently restored to a love of the truth.

Among these distinguished men Francis de Sales, Bishop of Geneva, exemplar of renowned holiness and teacher of true and pious doctrine stood out. Both through his words and his writings, which will endure for all time, he struck down the sinister errors rising up at the time; he defended the faith; he put vice to flight; he improved standards of moral behaviour, and he showed all that Heaven was accessible.

PIUS IX.Dives in misericordia, 16/11/1877

Model of strength amid trials

Chosen by God, an unshakeable awareness of her mission and an ardent desire for holiness, fuelled by the will to better fulfil her most exalted calling, led her [St. Joan of Arc] to overcome obstacles, disregard dangers, confront the powerful of the world, involve herself in the international problems of her time, and transform herself into a captain clad in iron, ready to launch a fearsome assault. […]

In a long or short life, in triumph or apparent catastrophe, with the ruggedness of stone or the fragility of a poor mortal maiden: it matters little! If there is an immutable truth, a Faith that cannot pass away, the love of an immortal homeland, the yearning for a peace that is a natural demand of the human heart; it is the thirst for a justice that will inevitably prevail at the hour appointed by history, at the hour of reconstruction, rehabilitation and resurrection.

This is a necessary law, which always unites sacrifice with triumph, humiliation with glory, the mystery of Calvary with the luminous dawn of the Resurrection.

Blessed are the people who remember this, so that they may face, if need be, the judgement of men, as Joan knew how to do with admirable steadfastness and unshakable serenity; so that they may not refuse sacrifice – which she faced with fear of no one and with marvellous energy– so that they may always remain faithful to their vocation, especially in the most difficult moments.

Joan of Arc thus presents herself to the Christians of our time as a model of solid, active faith, of docility to a most exalted mission, and of strength in the midst of trials.

PIUS XII. Radio Message, 25/6/1956

Teacher for our time

Shining brightly among the little ones to whom the secrets of the Kingdom were revealed in a most special way is Therese of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face […].

In fact, whatever changes can be noted in the course of history and despite the repercussions they usually have on the life and thought of individuals in every age, we must never lose sight of the continuity which links the Doctors of the Church to each other: in every historical context they remain witnesses to the unchanging Gospel and, with the light and strength that come from the Holy Spirit, they become its messengers, returning to proclaim it in its purity to their contemporaries.

Therese is a Teacher for our time, which thirsts for living and essential words, for heroic and credible acts of witness.

ST. JOHN PAUL II. Divini amoris scientia, 19/10/1997