Rome, 30 June 2020
Dearest Sisters and young women in formation,
I would like to begin this letter with the words of the Apostle Paul to the Christians of Philippi:
I thank my God each time I think of you, and every time I pray for you, I always pray with joy for your partnership in spreading the Gospel (Phil. 1:3-5).
How much Gospel has been sown in these months marked by the lockdown imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic; how much creativity has emerged as we have experienced the possibilities of production, diffusion, promotion, animation and formation offered by digital communication…
Today we can better understand what Christ revealed to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for you, because power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Co. 12:9). And perhaps, like Paul, by grace we will reach the point of conversion with regard to our weakness: not hiding it or being scandalized by it but even glorying in it (“I will therefore gladly boast about my weaknesses”), so that “the power of Christ” will pitch its tent in us and Christ will live, love and work in us…always.
As Blessed James Alberione wisely emphasized and our 11th General Chapter reaffirmed, the “secret of success” for a renewed missionary thrust is linked to “‘seeking first of all the kingdom of God and his justice,’ certain that, even in our poverty, he will not fail to give us much more than we dare to hope for” (Chapter Document, n. 3).
And this is also the wish that I, on behalf of all the sisters of the General Government, want to offer those who, in different parts of the world, have said or will say their generous yes to the Lord through their first or perpetual professions.
With deep affection, in communion of faith, love and hope,
Sr. Anna Caiazza
Superior general
