Via Nazareth. Rome, June 2013 Nr 22. A Meeting of the Sisters in the Ukraine

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1 Via Nazareth Rome, June 2013 Nr 22 A Meeting of the Sisters in the Ukraine M. Jana Zawieja A historical meeting of the all the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth ministering in the Ukraine was held at the hospitable monastery of the Capuchin Friars on the 23 February, All twenty one Sisters who minister in Kiev, Gniewan, Zytomierz, Czernichow and Cherson were present. The Provincial Superiors from Poland, Sister Elena Wrobel (Krakow) and Sister Amata Nowaszewska (Warsaw) as well as Sister Estera Sproska, Provincial Assistant from Krakow, our faithful driver. It is worth noting that exactly twenty years have passed since our Sisters returned to the Ukraine after their departure during World War Two. This is a wonderful anniversary, and a period of time during which much has already been accomplished. In a sense, the meeting was a continuation of the General Visitation, which I conducted in the Ukraine in It was also the next step along the path towards establishing a new administrative entity in this region. 1

2 During the meeting some time was devoted to common prayer, the celebration of the Eucharist and reflections relating to the third year of our congregational renewal and the Year of Faith. We also enjoyed a very joyful community agape around a shared table. Most of the time was devoted to naming and discussing the issues and concerns related to the future of our mission in the Ukraine. Sisters spoke openly about their hopes as well as questioned the possibility of the establishment a separate administrative unit. In the very near future, the Sisters will receive a Questionnaire, enabling them to share their views about the issues raised. Once these have been returned, the General Administration will be able to decide on the further steps that need to be taken. A very unique photo: All the Sisters in Ukraine with M. Jana, Sr. Elena and Sr. Amata On our return journey from Kiev, Sisters Elena, Estera and I made our way to Lwow to meet with Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, while Sister Amata returned to Warsaw directly from Kiev. We discussed with him the possibility of our Congregation s return to the Lwow Archdiocese, where our mission had unfolded prior to World War II, and where our Sisters lay buried in the Lwow cemetery. This is a clear sign that we have a long and rich history in this land. TODAY S presence of the Sisters in the Ukraine rises from our YESTERDAYS. We have become an integral part of the history of the life of the Church in this country. Now we are making a joint effort to discern, and plan our TOMORROW. My Second Trip to Ghana 2 Translated by Sister Helen Tereba Sr. Daniela Tupaj The day on which I purchased my ticked to Ghana I became aware that the readings in the morning s Liturgy recalled the Conversion of St Paul. It was to him, therefore, that I entrusted this missionary journey, which this time I was making alone. The Provincial Superior, Sister Teresita who was to travel with me had to postpone her trip until March since the replacement of the roof in our house in Sunyani was taking longer than expected. During the time of the roof repairs the Sisters had moved to a small dwelling at the end of the Bishop s garden. This house did not have a sufficient number of rooms to accommodate the four Sisters as well as visitors from Rome.

3 The actual trip to Accra was peaceful and safe. Dorothy was waiting for me at the airport together with the taxi driver whose taxi cab, as it appeared to me, was an amazing means of transport. Most importantly, this vehicle, which served as a car was sufficiently adequate to take us to our destination. Undoubtedly, the biggest surprise during the first part of this trip was the "casual companion" whom I met on the plane, on my way to Sunyani. Since my curiosity was awakened by the fact that he was holding a religious book I began to converse with him. It was a huge surprise for both of us to discover that we actually purchased the house which is now having its roof replaced from him. Having completed the flight from Accra, Sisters Justyna and Marietta were waiting for me at the airport in Sunyani. It was a wonderful feeling to see these familiar faces on another continent so far away. We happily made our way home, even if it was only to be a home to me, for one month. Roof Replacement One of the main reasons for this trip to Ghana was to help the Sisters with completion of the roof replacement. This was necessary due to the fact that each time it rained some flooding appeared in various parts of the house. Given the local culture, though it may be difficult to speak about assisting with the completion of works, the fact that someone from Rome had arrived could in itself speed things up. Based on my experiences, however, I must admit, that if it wasn t for the intervention and support of our local Bishop Matthew, it would have been very difficult to have the work completed before the start of the rainy season. His one phone call to the right person, made on the eve of my departure, was much more effective than any of my attempts at negotiations with the architect or members of his company. I was extremely pleased to hear from the Sisters, prior to my departure for Rome, that they had moved back into their own home. Our House in the Gaoso Diocese Meeting with Bishop Peter in the Diocese of Goaso was another reason for my trip to Ghana. The group of Sisters who will be going to Ghana in October will be working in the Goaso Diocese. According to previous arrangements the Sisters will live temporarily in a house which is being built by the diocese. This will be the Sisters home until such time we build a house for them in the future. Since the Sisters had already prepared me, I was not surprised to see that very little progress had been made on the construction of the house, which appeared to be at a standstill since last October. However Bishop Peter assured us that we should not worry, because even if the house would not be ready before the arrival of the Sisters, they would be accommodated at the Diocesan Retreat Centre nearby. Looking at the actual state of the building it seems that the latter will be more conceivable. 3

4 "Meetings Educate" This was also a journey marked by numerous and interesting meetings. I visited homes and schools of various religious congregations. What was easy and quick to notice was the solidarity and cooperation between the religious. The Sisters and Priests from various congregations were only too pleased to give us (Sr. Justyna and me) their time, sharing their knowledge and experience with us. They offered advice regarding our plans to build a new school. I was deeply impressed with Father Martino, an Italian Franciscan, who shared all his materials, school plans and designs which he had to make it easier for us. Similarly, Father Richard, the Italian Bursar of the Salesian Congregation, spent many hours with us explaining among other things, the issue of land ownership in Ghana. Having joined our Sisters for the Celebration of the Liturgy for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, World Day for Consecrated Life, I also had the opportunity to meet Sisters from many of the Congregations in the Sunyani Diocese. Our Missionaries in Ghana My greatest joy during this trip to Ghana was spending time with our Sisters in the local community. I could see how they are learning to live in the local conditions. They are able to cope with different situations and are slowly getting used to their local living realities. As far as possible they are endeavoring to learn the local language, the absence of which they feel in everyday life making their missionary work difficult. Sisters Justyna and Emmanuela are trying to become familiar with the education systems in Ghana through their work experience across two school. Sister Marietta, who, as we know, has not as yet been overcome by malaria works regularly in the area of catechetics. Perhaps she has the greatest opportunity to learn about the country, having to meet with catechists in various parts of the diocese. Sister Boguslawa, as sacristan in the Cathedral, is trying to make some order in the sacristy, which is not easy task, given local attitudes and conditions. Sr. Daniela and Sunyani Community on the site of our future school in Chirra From time to time the Sisters have to face problems related to their health, because malaria is indeed a real threat. As in every community, there are no shortages of problems, but the Sisters are trying to address them maturely as they arise. They remember the entire Nazareth congregation in their prayers, and also depend on our prayers for them. Translated by Sister Helen Tereba Governance Study Committee Meeting March 2013 Our Savior Servant must show us how through the will of the water and the tenderness of the towel. Michael Card -- The Basin and the Towel Sr. Angela Marie Mazzeo These words, focusing on the servant-nature of leadership were part of the opening prayer for our first Governance Study Committee meeting which was held March 6-12,

5 The members of the committee -- S. Anita Litwin (Australia), S. Dominka Konieczna (Warsaw), S. Hanna Paradowska (USA), S. Maria Teresa Marcinik (Italy), S. Paula Szuba (Krakow), S. Rita Fanning (USA) and S. Angela Marie Mazzeo (General Administration) gathered in Rome to move forward on the task set forth during the last General Chapter. In Decree #6 from the XXIII General Chapter we read that the General Administration engages the Sisters in the study and revision of Governance in our congregation based on our Covenant of Love and other Church documents. This decree was subsequently discussed during both the 2011 and 2012 International Planning Meetings. It was during the 2012 meeting that the Governance Study Committee was formed to assist in the realization of this decree. Also during this meeting guidelines were drawn up for the working of the committee. One of the goals of the committee s meeting was to familiarize all the members with some of the background as to how the Chapter decree developed, and also with the work that has been done up to this point, including the materials/issues already received from the Provincial Administrations from each province. Once this was completed, the next step was to look at how to carry out a study that would first engage all the Sisters in reflecting on obedience and the service of authority, and our living out of these two elements of our vowed life. As part of our meeting, Father Jacek Dembek, CSsR, one of the speakers at our previous General Chapter, spent a morning with us sharing his experience of the governance study carried out by the Redemptorists. His insights were very relevant and offered us some food for thought as well as some very practical advice as we began our work. Desiring that our work truly be guided by the Holy Spirit, the schedule was set up to allow time for prayer and reflection throughout the week. Still, the meetings and discussions were intense with each Sister being very open and sharing the different realities of their provinces regarding the understanding and living out of obedience and the roles of persons in authority. Many, many ideas and thoughts were shared. Everything was written down and posted around the room so that no idea would be lost. Slowly a process for a reflective study began to take shape. On Thursday, our second day of the meeting, we began the day by going for an early morning mass at the Vatican by the tomb of Bl. John Paul II. Here we prayed for our work, as well as for the Cardinals who would soon be entering into the conclave. On Sunday of that week, we took a break from our work and went in the morning for Mass at Santa Susanna Church. After which we walked to Machiavelli to spend time in prayer with Mother Foundress and to visit the Sisters who treated us to a delicious lunch. After lunch, we went to St. Peter s Basilica to pray. Refreshed and renewed we returned to the Generalate prepared to begin our work anew. It was evident that the time off and our times of prayer were good for our minds and spirits as our work seemed to flow more smoothly when we began again on Monday morning. In our last two days of the meeting, we completed all the tasks that had been set out on our agenda 5

6 the process and desired content for the reflective study, and creating a plan for the rest of our work, including how to gather feedback from all the Sisters. From this we were able to put together a report and timeline that would be shared with the general administration for their approval. The final day of our meeting coincided with the first day of the conclave. Since we were still working late into the afternoon that day, we watched on the television as the black smoke came from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel after the Conclave s first voting. Three of the Sisters had an extra day in Rome before they had to return to Poland and the United States (unfortunately two of the Sisters had to return home sooner). Therefore, the four of us chose to spend the next day in St. Peter s square waiting and praying. Our time was rewarded by seeing the white smoke emerge on the last voting of the day. We were blessed to witness the gift of a new Holy Father! We then returned home - our work for the week completed, and our hearts filled with joy and gratitude for the historic moment in which we had participated. A God of Surprises!!! Sr. Helen Tereba The chorus of a popular children s tune God is a Surprise sung by the younger children in Religion lessons during my teaching years, often resounded in my mind during the eight weeks of accompanying Mother Jana on Visitation in the Krakow Province. It all began in the middle of March. Having been to Krakow two years ago in March/April I was delighted to witness a most unseasonal snowfall. So..again, I secretly hoped for at least a little snow this time. And Surprise, surprise, God is a surprise, right before your eyes. It s baffling to the wise.!!! As the plane descended onto the tarmac at Krakow airport a huge blanket of snow became visible, covering not only the runway but the surroundings as well. What a wonderful surprise for me!!! But the sentiments were not shared by my travelling companion Sister Paula Szuba who having lived through the entire winter enduring the cold.was not particularly excited at the prospect of more freezing temperatures. For me, it was the beginning of an exciting visitation, which promised some fun in the snow.in the midst of work, of course!!! The vast expanse of snowy scenes spread before us in every direction as we drove to visit with our communities in Marcyporeba, Raba Wyzna, Rabka, Komancza, Zakopane.and many other towns and villages. Needless to say, the Sisters came to my aid very quickly with warm jackets, knee high sox, boots, gloves, etc. so that I could at least shovel some snow and take some longer walks, amidst the woods in Komancza or the neighboring gentle hills of Rabka. 6

7 Another surprise lay in store for me in April, when asked to return to Poland, with the strict instructions, not to harbor any secret desires for more snow. Fortunately, the signs of spring were in the air, with warmer temperatures, the gradual appearance of green shoots on tree branches and various other flowering plants breaking through the ground to the surface!!! God is good!!! Sr. Helen with Sr. Ancilla and Sr. Maristella in Marcyporeba, and with S. Elżbieta playing in the snow My real joy of being in Poland for eight weeks, however, was coming to know so many Sisters in our homes, the lived reality of the local communities and the many and varied ministries in which we are involved. One could cannot but admire the commitment of the Sisters! My thoughts and prayers of gratitude often turned towards our Mother Foundress, whose sanctity, courage and generosity in responding to God s invitation to establish our Nazareth has produced so much fruit in the lives of thousands of people over so many years. The words from Saint Matthew s Gospel seemed to constantly re-echo in my mind at the end of each day. By Their Fruits You Will Know Them (Mt7:20). If we believe these words of Jesus to be true.then indeed, our Mother Foundress is a saint, and must be very proud of her spiritual daughters. May our mission in the Church and in the world bear fruit in abundance, as we continue to strive to extend the Kingdom of God s Love. We have come to know and to believe the love God has for us. (1John 4:16) 7 Sr. Halina Dołęga In this Year of Faith I would to share with you, how the Word of God has helped me to experience the recent developments in the Church related to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI from the Chair of Peter, the period of waiting for the election of a new Pope and the first days of the election of Pope Francis. Our Holy Father announced his decision to resign just prior to the beginning of Lent. I chose the text of Pope Benedict s Lenten message as the specific subject of my reflection and prayer. In this way, I wanted to spiritually accompany Benedict XVI, reflecting on his words, knowing that this was certainly a difficult time for him. At the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, on 25 January, in the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, I joined the young professed Sisters for Vespers. This was the last time I saw

8 the face of our Holy Father close up, a face which, humanly speaking, looked tired and exhausted. For this reason, I accepted the Holy Father s decision with some understanding, but also with some trepidation as to what will happen next. Who will continue to lead the Church? The words of scripture - We have come to know and to believe the love God has for us. (1John 4:16) as well as the title of the Pope s Lenten Message Faith as a response to the love of God, were life-giving words for me at that time. It seems to me, that at the beginning of Lent each one of us considers how best to experience this special liturgical season. Through the entire month of February I accompanied Mother Jana on her visitation in the Name of Mary Province in Krakow. Practically speaking, we were often in a different home each day constantly on the go. This provides certain challenge s on one s spiritual life. It teaches flexibility, a departure from schedules, an increased effort to find time for prayer and that often life itself becomes a prayer. M. Jana and Sr. Halina in Krakow and in the kindergarten in Tymbark Therefore, on the one hand, there were the meetings with the sisters in various homes, the reading of house chronicles and other documents, a chance to learn about another part of Nazareth, and on the other hand, the looking for a way to be united with the heart of the Church in Rome, where I have been living now for several years. The scriptural text: We have come to know and to believe the love God has for us, became my constant prayer. Firstly, it was a prayer for Pope Benedict XVI, and for me to see in his decision the reality of the words: We have come to know and to believe the love God has for us. At the same time it was a prayer for the Church and the College of Cardinals. It was also a prayer for Mother Jana as she visited each community of Sisters in Krakow and nearby Wadowice and Tymbark, so that the Visitation would awaken in us the conviction that we have come to know and to believe the love God has for us. These words helped me to see the faith of the Provincial and her Council, as they struggled with their day to day affairs, a faith which looks to the future with hope, the culmination of which is love. These words helped me to see the faith of the Sisters expressed during prayer, a faith spurring them to love which was expressed in different ways in the school, kindergarten, during catechesis, the sacristy, in hospital, nursing homes, day care centres, the Home for Single Mothers, in the hours spent at daily chores, in caring for the elderly and sick sister; in organizing meetings for young people, parents, families and childless couples. The faith of the recently deceased Sister Ludmila, who had already been rewarded with the vision of God face to face. While attending her funeral and listening to the life story of our Sister I thanked God for her perseverance and growth in Love until the very end. 8

9 I returned to Rome on 13 March, and on that same day, together with our Sisters, I went to St Pater s Square to wait for the white smoke. We stood in the rain staring at the chimney above the Sistine Chapel, and there constantly repeated the words - We have come to know and to believe the love God has for us for the Cardinals, the new pope and the entire Church. The first appearance of Pope Francis on the Balcony, participation in the pontifical Mass, listening to his initial speeches, sharing the excitement with other pilgrims, the joy and the possibility of being in such close contact with the Head of the Church were for me a smile from God and a deep conviction that God s Word continues to be alive and active, and which penetrates deeply. This same biblical text can be applied in various ways, and a key to interpreting the events in our daily life. Thus the Lenten Message motto - We have come to know and believe the love God has for us - were me a sign, an anchor, a warning, an order, a delight, a hope, a certainty, a question, an encouragement, a joy, simply everything! The Church Is Reawakened In Souls 9 Translated by Sister Helen Tereba Sr. Beata Rudzińska In this current issue of our Newsletter, which encompasses the months of February to May 2013, we cannot ignore the recent events which have taken place in Rome. The eyes of the world were focused on the Vatican as we witnessed the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of his successor Francis, which significantly affected the Church and touched the hearts of many people. Thousands of articles and commentaries have probably already been written about these two great personalities. We too would like to share with you what we experienced during this special time. The news of the resignation of Pope Benedict was so sudden and unbelievable that Sisters from other countries phoned us, hoping that we had more, or better information. I do not know if we knew more, but we definitely knew it to be true, a hard truth at that. At that time, there were only four General Councilors in Rome since Mother Jana and Sister Halina had left for Poland for the General Visitation in the Krakow Province. Mother Jana, who is always interested in and follows all activities associated with the ministry of the successor of Peter, did not hide her disappointment at not being able to be present in Rome during these days. Unfortunately her return from Poland to Rome was not scheduled until 14 May. Nevertheless, due to a strange inner feeling, I thought I could only promise Sister Halina (who was due back in Rome on 13 March), that she would be back in time to witness the election of the new Pope. During those days, the weather indications in the sky, reflected in some mysterious way, what was occurring at ground level. The day of the resignation, 11 February was cold, wet and cloudy - until that time it was only one of a few such days in Rome. During the Mass which was being celebrated in the Cathedral of St Peter, at the altar below the famous stained glass window of the Holy Spirit, the only brief indication that something significant had occurred, was a brief Prayer of Intercession for the Church and for Pope Benedict XVI. It was difficult to say much more at that time. At some point during the Mass, I heard the slamming of doors, and a flash of lightning lit

10 up the windows. As lightning struck the dome of St Peter s - someone on the outside captured the moment on film and photos circulated globally via the virtual world!!! A strong gust of wind blew throughout the Basilica. I immediately recalled the funeral liturgy of John Paul II when the wind disheveled the vestments of the Cardinals and closed the book on his pontificate. Although Benedict was still living, his departure into the shadows, caused the same ache to rise within me, evoking the need to hold onto a strong faith and hope that the Holy Spirit brings forth life from death in every possible situation. As far as possible, each one of us participated in the final events of Pope Benedict s Pontificate. These included attendance at his final Mass on Ash Wednesday which concluded with endless applause and words of gratitude spoken by Cardinal Bertone; two gatherings for the Angelus, and his final Papal Audience which due to the expected attendance of one hundred and fifty thousand people who wanted to farewell and say Thank You to Pope Benedict, was transferred from the Hall of Paul VI, to St. Peter s Square. It was during this audience that the Pope spoke words that penetrated deeply into my heart, and which from that moment, I experienced again and again. First there were his very spontaneous words, spoken as he gazed at the sight of the thousands of people gathered in the Square: I am truly moved and I see that the Church is alive! Then there was the longer reflection at the end of his catechesis: Yes, the Pope is never alone; now I once again experience this so overwhelmingly that my heart is touched. The Pope belongs to everyone and so many persons feel very close to him. It is true that I receive letters from world leaders ( ) But I also receive many letters from ordinary people who write to me simply and from the heart, and who show me their affection, an affection born of our being together with Christ Jesus, in the Church. These people do not write to me in the way one writes, for example, to a prince or some important person whom they do not know. They write to me as brothers and sisters, as sons and daughters, with a sense of a very affectionate family bond. Here one can sense palpably what the Church is not an organization, an association for religious or humanitarian ends, but a living body, a communion of brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ, which makes us all one. To experience the Church in this way and to be able as it were to put one s finger on the strength of her truth and her love, is a cause for joy at a time when so many people are speaking of her decline. But we see how the Church is alive today! The experience of the living Church during his final audience last Wednesday had to be significant for Benedict, because he referred to it once again, while saying goodbye to the Cardinals on the following day: It seems to me that this was our experience yesterday in the Square: seeing that the Church is a living body, enlivened by the Holy Spirit and which is really brought to life by God s power. She is of God, of Christ, of the Spirit. We saw this yesterday. That is why Guardini's other famous saying is both true and eloquent: The Church is reawakened in souls. 10

11 Personally, I understood the words even more on March 13, the second day of the conclave. That morning Sister Helen and Sister Paula Szuba (Member of the Governance Study Commission) had to fly to Krakow. Sister Dominica from Warsaw, Sisters Rita and Hanna from the United States, remained on this their last day in Rome. Sister Halina returned to Rome from Poland. Sister Michele Collins was also in Rome at this time, assisting with work which she was being asked to do. However, she could never have imagined what experiences her time in Rome would include. The fourth and fifth voting sessions were scheduled for that afternoon. It was rumoured that white smoke was a likely outcome, though not necessarily quite yet. Every Sister from Machiavelli and the Generalate who was able to, made her way to St Peter s Square. Sisters Michele, Daniela, Halina and I were there at around 5:00 p.m. The skies were bucketing rain, which had the effect that the people stood quietly under their umbrellas. Rosary beads were seen in the hands of many. We stood in a position where we could easily see the chimney above the Sistine Chapel. Over and above everything, we wanted to see the real smoke, even though the image on the large video screen was much easier to see. As the time passed and dusk gathered this plain, tin chimney with its seagull argentatus (silver), became the major point of media interest, across the globe. It was almost 19:00 and I started to lose hope, and felt a strange ache in my heart as I thought another day without the successor of Peter? I had not experienced this feeling before. While living outside of Rome I experienced events like this very differently. I was reminded of the words of Pope Benedict The Pope belongs to everyone and so many feel close to him. For a few minutes now, there were no signs of seagull. Were they scared away by some unexpected noises? Exactly at a greyish looking cloud of smoke appeared which eventually became white. The joyous sounding bells of the Basilica dispelled all doubts! Together with the entire throng of people we moved forward towards the central balcony and were only a few meters away from the first barrier. It continued to rain a little, but this time the umbrellas were used to express the joy and excitement of the moment. After few minutes they were no longer needed. Many people reached for their mobile phones to share the joyful news with those who were not present in the Square. However, it was not possible.all the lines were engaged! Perhaps it was better this way so that we did not waste this unrepeatable moment. One hour of waiting stretched before us, an hour of joy for the Church, a time for building closer ties with those near us, ties within the family of the Church. Without the umbrellas we saw one another more clearly. The illuminated façade of the Basilica provided considerable light. Gazing at the Basilica as if it were the face of the Church, surrounded by the arms of the colonnades (which was the aim of Bernini, who designed St. Peter s Square), we came to the realization that we were not "some association or organization", but a family who was waiting for their Father, their Guide and Shepherd. Members of this family included states and nations, children, adults and numerous young people. 11

12 Various ways of expressing joy and faith became visible creating a truly unique atmosphere in the Square. After the first outbreak of enthusiasm from various locations the people broke into spontaneous prayers and hymns which even the live video failed to capture. After an hour, we heard the first words Habemus Papam. Then silence... Who is Georgius Marius Bergoglio? And did we hear right is his new name Francis? The first minutes of silence for those present, were for some, seemingly marked by disappointment since that was not the name of their preferred candidate. But the silence was a time to search for the answer to the questions. Fortunately, the multitudes in the Square were better informed than the journalists. From those standing nearby, we learnt that he was a cardinal from Argentina. Standing next to us, a priest, probably from America, continued to repeat Unbelievable! Unbelievable! The French couple standing beside him interrupted his words of disbelief, with the question Why? Then the priest continued He will be a holy pope he is already a saint. It turned out that the priest knew a lot about the life and pastoral style of leadership of the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Enthusiasm erupted again in the Square.prayer and the chanting of the name we now knew. A young man in the crowd, possibly Asian, repeatedly called out in a shrill voice, Francesco, Francesco. There was something amazing in this chanting which rang through the entire Square like a son s longing for a father, and the Church s longing for a Shepherd. Another moment of waiting and then the long anticipated moment, of great significance for us and possibly also for Pope Francis. Like Benedict, he too was overwhelmed by the vision of the "living church" before him. His audience with the Cardinals, two days after his election, began with these words: The period of the conclave has been a momentous time not only for the College of Cardinals, but also for all the faithful. In these days we have felt almost tangibly the affection and the solidarity of the universal Church, as well as the concern of so many people who, even if they do not share our faith, look to the Church and the Holy See with respect and admiration. From every corner of the earth fervent prayers have been offered up by the Christian people for the new Pope, and my first encounter with the thronging crowd in Saint Peter s Square was deeply moving. With that evocative image of the people gathered in joyful prayer still impressed on my memory, I want to express my sincere thanks to the bishops, priests, consecrated persons, young people, families, and the elderly for their spiritual closeness, so touching and so deeply felt. This unique and incomparable experience has enabled us to grasp deeply all the beauty of the Church, which is a glimpse of the radiance of the risen Christ ( ) Since those memorable days, we continue to witness the beauty of these moments many times. Rome is experiencing an influx of pilgrims comparable in number only to those of the Jubilee Year. According to Cardinal Bertone, each Sunday and Wednesday, resurrection experiences occur in St Peter s Square. The number of buses which make their way to St Peter s for the Papal audiences are three times greater than the parking spaces provided for them. Recently several buses have been permitted to park on our grounds. The rich and deep program for the Year of Faith, planned by Pope Benedict, together with the charismatic figure of Francis are producing beautiful fruit. To experience the Church in this way and to be able as it were to put one s finger on the strength of her truth and her love, is a cause for joy at a time when so many people are speaking of her decline. I thank God for this blessing. Translated by: Sr Helen Tereba Photos in this article taken from: 12