(ANS - Rome)- On Women's Day, Sunday 8 March, Pope Francis sent a greeting to all women, reaffirming "the importance and necessity of their presence in life. A world where women are marginalized is a barren world, because women not only bring life but give us the ability to see beyond."

The Pope's greeting came just after the Sunday Angelus. It was followed by an awards ceremony at the Vatican, from the women’s organization "Voices of Faith."  Awards were given to two organizations working on behalf of women: "Caritas Nicaragua" and "Basmeh and Zeitooneh" (Smile and Olive) for Syrian and Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

Women’s Day was celebrated by the Salesian Congregation around the world. The Rector Major, Fr Ángel Fernández Artime, showed the way by sending a video message in three languages to the whole Salesian Family. ​​In it he expresses his "thanks to women just for being women, for their service in society, in the Church and in the Salesian Family."

In missionary territories of Guatemala, for example, the day was seen as a commitment to ensure that the status of women be improved in everyday life.

"We celebrated this day with the fruits of a year's work,” said Fr Giampiero de Nardi, SDB. “We held a parade with speeches and songs to mark the day dedicated to working women and the fight for equal rights. SEPREM, the secretariat for the protection of women, joined in the parade. This year we were able to involve several men, who helped to maintain order, because during the parade last year there were difficult moments and insults were shouted."

The motto of the parade was taken from a quote by Betty Bumpers, a US activist: "This is not about women against men, but women and men." Fr de Nardi said: "This is what we teach as Church, and this is what animates our pastoral activity. We strive to overcome the unjust inequalities that prevail in this part of the world. It is enough to think of the number of times I've had to go visit husbands to persuade them to allow their wives to go to Mass!"

After the parade, Mass was celebrated and there was a floral tribute to Mary. Then women who are active in pastoral ministry gave each family a gift of biscuits and shampoo paid for by the Salesian mission.

Published 10/03/2015