EASTER

EASTER

In spite of these dark days that our humanity is going through, painfully reminded of its limits and vulnerability, let us keep our hope in a better tomorrow: Christ is risen!

On the rscj international website (rscjinternational.org), you will find the Superior General’s message for this great Easter celebration, as well as news from many Provinces in these times of pandemic.

Paola del Prete, the President of AMASC, has also addressed this letter to the Presidents of your associations and, through them, to all the elders of the world :

« Dearly beloved,

This morning is a beautiful day; sun, blue sky, calm sea, Capri far away. The roses on the terrace have their first buds. The lemon tree is full of fragrant flowers; a paradise… but outside there is still hell.
The streets are deserted, no noise, no cars, and the people passing by with masks are suspiciously heading towards the pharmacy or supermarket, and the police are on the lookout.This is still our life…

The Pope’s words on the deserted churchyard in St. Peter’s Square, help us to understand that we will come out of this war different, and we will come out of it only by relying on Him:

.’For weeks it seems evening has fallen. Dense darkness has thickened in our squares, streets and cities. It has taken over our lives, filling everything with a deafening silence and a desolate emptiness which paralyses everything as it passes. You can feel it in the air. You can feel it in the gestures, and the looks say it. We found ourselves frightened and lost (…)
“Like the disciples of the Gospel, we were taken aback by an unexpected and furious storm. We realized that we were in the same boat; all fragile and disoriented, but at the same time important and necessary, all called to row together, all in need of comforting each other. On this boat… we are all like those disciples who speak with one voice, and in anguish say: ‘We are lost.” Just as those disciples, who speak with one voice and in anguish say: ‘We are lost’ (v. 38), so too we have realized that we cannot go ahead on our own, but only together(… )
“The storm unmasks our vulnerability, and leaves exposed those false and superfluous certainties with which we have built our agendas, our projects, our habits and priorities….. ‘Why are you afraid? Don’t you have faith yet?'( ….)
“The beginning of faith is knowing we need salvation. We are not self-sufficient, alone; alone we sink. We need the Lord like the ancient sailors of the stars. We invite Jesus into the boats of our lives. Let us give Him our fears, that He may overcome them… You ask us not to be afraid. But our faith is weak and we are afraid. But You, Lord, do not leave us at the mercy of the storm. Repeat again: ‘You shall not be afraid’ (Mt 28:5). And we, together with Peter, ‘cast all our worries into Thee, because Thou hast cared for us’. (cf. 1 Pet 5:7) (…)
“In this Lent your urgent appeal resounds: ‘Convert’, ‘return to me with all your heart’ (Gl 2:12).. “ »

We must move forward. The bond that unites us, alumin and alumnae of the Sacred Heart, is very strong and can help us. It makes us more courageous against depression, discouragement, anxiety, insomnia, and fear of today and tomorrow. So let us all pray together, in an ideal common prayer, under Our Lady’s gaze, in the embrace of Saint Madeleine Sophie. Let us pray for those who suffer, for those who have left us, for the doctors, nurses, volunteers, soldiers, and for all those who help us to continue living.
In addition, I ask you to give me your news…

I embrace you all,

Paola del Prete del Vaglio
Amasc President
Napoli 8 aprile 2020