Peace
28/12/2022
The world is in such need of peace: between nations - now we are thinking especially of Ukraine, in society, communities and families and, above all, in the heart of every human being.
During this time, our sisters from different parts of the world share a message of peace in various forms. Let this cry for peace go out into the world.
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From St. Louis, Central Province USA
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Central Province USA - Christmas 2022
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The gingerbread made by Sr Damiana Luzna OSU in the community in Sucha nad Parnou in Slovakia.
“Peace” is written in 12 languages.
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The nativity scene in the chapel of our community in Thiaroye, Senegal.
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In honour of Mary, Queen of Peace
"A newfound joy": the coronation of the Virgin Mary celebrated at the Basilica of Fourvière in Lyon
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| Statue of Mary in Basilica in Lyon in 2014, France, photo: Dennis Jarvis, (CC BY-SA 2.0). |
The coronation of the Virgin Mary was celebrated on 1 December at the Basilica of Fourvière in Lyon with fireworks and a large crowd. It has been five years since the statue of the Virgin Mary in the basilica had a crown above her head after a theft. "This is a truly historic moment, as the crowning of the Virgin is very rare," said Archbishop Olivier de Germay of Lyon. It was a representative of the Pope who climbed the steps of the scaffolding, installed for the occasion within the basilica, to place the new crown above the statue of the Virgin.
"There was a sense of frustration since the disappearance of this crown, a wound in the hearts of the people of Lyon. Now, at last, there is a newfound joy, the Virgin Mary has her crown back," - continued the Archbishop of Lyon.
This new crown was financed by the faithful, like the first one dating from 1900, whose precious stones had been donated by rich families from Lyon. The style of the new crown, more streamlined, contrasts with the old one. It was created by the sculptor Goudji, who acknowledged a "rather challenging work" carried out with his own hands. "Each colour, each stone, has its own Christian symbolism," he added, recalling that "red is for the sacrifice of Christ, blue is for the veil of the Virgin and green is for hope.
Sr Marie Bruno Dufossé from France
New crown, source © BFM Lyon
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The three photos from the Caribbean Province - Guyana Community.
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The crib in the chapel of the Generalate - the novices were involved in the preparation.
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“We have prepared these small Christmas motifs for the lonely elderly in the city so that we can bring to them the warmth of love and the symbol of peace and closeness that comes in Jesus Christ”.
From Srs Františka and Ignácia, Slovak Province, in a mission in Kisvárda, Hungary.
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Peace - Photos from Eastern Province USA
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The crib from sr Karen OSU - Tralee, Ireland.
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The new icon of Sr. Daria Klich - Wrocław, Poland
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Cribs from Varaždin, Croatia
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Crib from St Louis, Missouri.
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Photos from the Caribbean Province - Barbados Community
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The crib from the Community of Capriolo - Jesus King of Justice and Peace.
The infant Jesus, in the poverty of the crib, is surrounded by reminders of the suffering of people today.
One newspaper headline reads, "Le lacrime del Papa per Ucraina" - "The Pope's tears for Ukraine."
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The cribs from the Indonesia Province
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Italian Province, Rome, Setteville
Reflection on the nativity scene by Sr Annarosa Porro OSU
The Shepherds went to Bethlehem, they saw, contemplated, heard...everything is true: there is Mary, Joseph and the Child!!!
And so they return, they descend... they are full of joy, two play in honour of the Lord the Saviour. Two others are already on their way: one has regained his sight, the other a pilgrim, with his dog, he also runs to report... One contemplates the still shining sky and looks for the star...
And next to Jesus – Large – because he is small and humble, there is a simple woman who returns from the countryside happy to have worked, harvested, to give to others...ready to follow the Lord in a unique way and adore him... It is St. Angela Merici, simple, humble, generous... To the right of the child, the figure of the "Little Shepherd" who offers his sheep and greets the child... it makes one think of Jesus the Good Shepherd carrying the newly found sheep on his shoulders...!
Father Enzo Fortunato writes in his book on "St Francis and the invention of the nativity scene":
Each character in the nativity scene is a human type, a character, an emotion, a feeling. Just think of the Neapolitan tradition in which each character has a vocation, an image, a message, a distinguishing mark. The nativity scene represents us all, but above all it represents the sacrifice that each of us makes to realise a dream. I believe that the crib is basically the fulfilment of the desire of each one of us: to live in Peace, to be in Peace, to build Peace.
Eight hundred years after the intuition of St Francis, I think that the moment, gestures and warmth of the nativity scene that are repeated in our homes are something like a continuous retelling of salvation history...
Pope Francis writes in his apostolic letter “On the meaning and importance of the nativity scene”:
Indeed, the nativity scene evokes a number of the mysteries of Jesus’ life and brings them close to our own daily lives. (2)
God does not abandon us, but is there to answer our crucial questions about the meaning of life. Who am I? Where do I come from? Why was I born at this time in history? Why do I love? Why do I suffer? Why will I die? It was to answer these questions that God became man. His closeness brings light where there is darkness and shows the way to those dwelling in the shadow of suffering.(4)
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Italian Province, Milan
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We look forward to receiving more, if any of you would like to send something…