In 1973, Jesuit Superior General Pedro Arrupe first used these words to describe the mission of the Society of Jesus. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, still four years from ordination, had no inkling that, as pope, he would one day bring them to the world by his word and witness.

Jesus, the man for others, was sent by the Father for that very purpose…to live among us to witness the God of mercy, compassion and love. One of the reasons that Pope Francis is so widely admired and respected is that he is forming men and women for others as Jesus did, by living simply among us and witnessing the Father’s healing and forgiving love.

Men and women become disciples through the witness of others and, in turn, become witnesses. That is how Jesus formed men and women for others, who spread the Gospel “in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Image Credit: CNS photo/Paul Haring