The topic of the Holy Father’s weekly catechesis was St. Gertrude the Great, a German mystic of the 13th century. But he did have a special greeting for the Oblates:

“I greet the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, who are holding their General Chapter, and I invite them to engage with renewed apostolic zeal to make more and more present the charism of their Institute, so as to cooperate generously in the work of the new evangelization.”

At the end of the audience, our outgoing Superior General, Fr. Wilhelm STECKLING was a able to personally introduce his successor, Fr. Louis LOUGEN to the Holy Father.

Back at Casa LaSalle, in the afternoon, there were again some regional meetings with members of the new Central Government and a brief plenary session to discuss remaining proposals. There was also an evening session on World Youth Day that will take place in Spain next year.