Author Topic: Women Who Bring Hope (Read 901 times)

poche · « **on:** April 30, 2017, 05:34:51 AM »

How to bring comfort and hope to a nation devastated for over 5 years by war? How do you revive hearts wounded by grief? How can Christ bring his salvation to the desperate and resigned Syrian people, who cannot see an end to this violence? The Maronite archbishop of Damascus, Samir Nassar answers these questions directly to Vatican Insider “It’s done through seventy-nine sisters from various religious congregations who live in the Christian community of Damascus”; some of these communities have been in Syria for over two hundred years.

Nassar is head of the Damascus archeparchy that, before the war, counted more than 20 thousand Maronite Catholics. Now, with the flow of refugees and expatriates, it is difficult to estimate a right number.

But, for the benefit of the families who haven’t fled the country, “the religious unpretentiously take care of the next and, with discretion, bring a smile and a hug to everyone they meet on their way.”

“They are the true force that gives life to the Gospel. They are the ones that make the Holy Spirit present in our daily life, placing themselves at the service of the believers, the poor, the suffering,” the archbishop said while preparing the celebrations for the Easter Triduum, in which he will mention and give credit to the consecrated women whose daily work remains in the dark.

“The first Gospel witness that they offer - he continues - is that of fraternal life. Some live in school buildings, that were nationalized in 1968. Other live in hospitals, modest apartments or houses located in cities, in the midst of God’s people, leading a life of poverty, prayer and praise. “This life, he adds, “is a burning flame that gives light, just by existing, in moments of darkness and despair.”

The nuns of Damascus work in the shade, and represent a permanent point of reference for the local people, “They are always willing to listen. These consecrated sisters are always available to welcome and listen to the less fortunate, the injured, the poor, and the ill. A basic need in these years of war and isolation. The hearts of those who feel forgotten hold all the misery and uncertainty, all the sufferings and problems accuмulated over time. Thanks to their humble acceptance, these religious, give love and affection, they are a ’Wailing Wall’, a safe haven that provides a beneficial and comforting presence for all the families in need.”

The Archbishop said, “Today the Syrian people are searching for compassion, a face that inspires and offers compassion. And they have found it in our sisters. They serve in households, kindergartens, schools, free clinics, in the catechetical and religious educational centers. I would like to make a special mention for their heroic mission in the health sector. Their activities for the care of the sick and the many wounded by the war have allowed developing a pastoral of particular closeness to the sick. Through their hands, Christ heals the wounds of the wounded and mutilated in Syria.”

The religious are also an essential anchor for the future building of Syria, a nation tried by war for too many years: “The basic mission of our dear sisters – Nassar notes - remains centered on schools and on children and youth education. In this valuable educational service, they transmit peace, mercy, tolerance and dialogue, much needed values to rebuild a devastated country and be able to think of a renewal of the ecclesial community.”

“I would also like to emphasize the important psychological support offered by the sisters to the wounded and especially to the frightened and traumatized children, their efforts to eradicate from their hearts the images of violence, or the sense of abandonment,” the Maronite Archbishop remarks to Vatican Insider.
On the eve of Easter, Nassar intends to “Thank the Blessed Sisters: the fruitful witness to the Gospel of light, given every day by the nuns of Damascus, deserves our gratitude and deep appreciation. Thanks to people like them, life in Syria continues and people have not lost hope. Thanks to consecrated sisters of Damascus, the Risen Christ can bring blessing, salvation, strength to the Syrian people.”

http://www.lastampa.it/2017/04/14/vaticaninsider/eng/world-news/syria-saved-by-the-nuns-IWJy5QXPFBeHKtxpuy79LN/pagina.html

poche · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2017, 11:57:02 PM »

Esmeralda Solís Gonzáles is a young Mexican woman who was crowned last year as a beauty queen in her native town – and now she's joined the Poor Clare Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament.
Twenty-year old Gonzáles has watched her story go viral over the last week on social media over a post on the Miss Mexico Facebook page.
Esmaralda was born April 12, 1997 in Valle de Guadalupe, Jalisco State, to a Catholic family. She currently resides at the convent of the Poor Clare Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament of Cuernavaca in Morelos State, after leaving her career as a nutritionist.
“You really don't know what religious life is until you're within it. So far I have been able to see from another perspective what the world is and what it offers you,” Esmeralda told CNA.
“I was very happy with everything I had, but it does not compare with the happiness that God now places in my heart.”
The young postulant met the Poor Clare Missionaries some five years ago at 14, when her concern for a religious vocation “was awakening” through “vocational days, missions and camps.”
In addition, she pointed out how it was hardly a month after this process of discernment concluded when on March 2017 she gave her first yes to her vocation on the Feast of the Annunciation.
“God's timing is perfect. During this time (of discernment) he allowed me to have some experiences such as being a beauty queen, and other experiences, which forever left their mark and which allowed me to learn a lot for what was to come later.”
The discovery of the vocation to which she had been called was always present in her life like a “little thorn,” Esmeralda said.
“I realized that I had to make room in my life to know what it was that God had planned for me. In the process of discerning my vocation there was also fear and doubts, but the love that Our Lord was showing every day made me overcome any feeling of discouragement,” she said.
Esmeralda said she had discovered that God was calling her “to serve him in a radical way,” that is, changing her “life to embrace the cross of Christ and live it more closely.”
“I have been in religious life very little time, but I truly have been very happy,” she said.
In order to discover her vocation, Esmeralda spent a lot of time in prayer and charity, “knowing from the outside or from the world” what this change would involve.
“Change is hard for the family because it involves detachment, but I have always had the the support of my parents, siblings and true friends. Even though I could have developed myself in some other setting, I feel that if the Lord needs me then I can bear fruit in a different way,” she told CNA.
Esmeralda had a few words for young people and said that in any vocation they will find difficulties, “but if you go and take God's hand, you'll always be able to take the next step.”
“In religious life every new day is a new beginning and a new opportunity to extend the kingdom of God. This involves making a lot of sacrifices but they are always rewarded with happiness,” she said.
The young novice also said that it is true that “the reality and the supposed happiness that the world sells is very attractive” but “it is necessary to fix your eyes on what lasts.”
“You mustn't be afraid. If God is calling you, he'll take care of everything. All you need to do is receive him with a lot of peace, joy and confidence. I believe fear is a big excuse that is responsible for truncating the true happiness that only God can offer,” she said.
The Poor Clare Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament are a Religious Institute of Pontifical Right founded by Blessed María Inés Teresa Arias in 1945 in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
The spirit of the Institute is Eucharistic, Marian, priestly, missionary, and is centered on Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.
The missionaries work in clinics, youth groups, preschools and schools, university dorms, centers for the spiritual exercises, missions, among others. They are present in Mexico, Costa Rica, Argentina, the United States, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Russia, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Vietnam and India.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/mexican-beauty-queen-makes-radical-move-to-religious-life-59620/
She chose what is real beauty over what is superficial.

Mercyandjustice · « **Reply #2 on:** May 04, 2017, 01:29:27 PM »

God bless 'em :applause:

Author Topic: Women Who Bring Hope (Read 901 times)

poche

Women Who Bring Hope

poche

Re: Women Who Bring Hope

Mercyandjustice

Re: Women Who Bring Hope