(ANS-Rome)- The Mother General of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Sister Yvonne Reungoat, has responded on behalf of the Institute by declaring their full acceptance of the Rector Major’s request to join the call of Pope Francis for peace.

"Dear Fr Ángel, I read in ANS your request to the Salesian Family to join the call of Pope Francis for peace. On behalf of our Institute I declare our adherence to this request, coming, as  it does, on the hundredth anniversary of the First World War. The words of Pope Francis after the Angelus last Sunday found a clear echo in our hearts.

"Stop, please," is also our word and our wish. We want to do something concrete as part of our commitment to peace in the world. We think that prayer is our first contribution to the building of this valuable asset… prayer, and a life that witnesses to the love of God, Father of all, who does not exclude anyone from the banquet of life and joy.

Another contribution we can make is to build communion in the community. The Spirit helps us to give an evangelical quality to our relationships, making us reliable and credible signs of the new commandment that Jesus gave us: "Love one another as I have loved you" (Jn 15:12).
Love believes all things, hopes all things. Love is the final word.

We also want to make a renewed commitment to our mission of educating the younger generations. We are convinced that peace is built with small everyday gestures, cultivating positive thoughts, inculcating respect for the dignity and the rights and duties of every human being, acceptance of diversity as a richness, the value of dialogue and every culture.

In asking for the gift of peace, our thoughts turn especially to the suffering of children, young people and women  - the most vulnerable and defenceless in society.

Together we ask the Lord for a true peace, a lasting peace, a peace founded on justice, and we pledge our solidarity, particularly in the field of education.
With all the FMA of the world I greet you with gratitude and affection."
 

Published  31/07/2014