Love is creative! 

Throughout Lent, the General Council, confined within the four walls of the General House in Rome, found itself walking through the desert, marked by silence, impatience, curiosity and faith, like the people of Israel. In the process of being in the midst of the epidemic that soon became a pandemic, we felt how hard it is to face powerlessness and uncertainty, with the sudden change in personal and community plans and projects.

The widespread and global Pandemic, which took us by surprise and took many lives, made us confront our weaknesses, our paralysis and our ability to be resilient. What seemed to be something fleeting in the beginning, showed its arrogance and impiety and was taking on unimaginable proportions, assuring us that it would stay with us for some time. Its expansion was so rapid that in a short time we found the whole world sailing in the same boat and that a single horizon opened before us: the horizon of universal brotherhood. We joined in many moments of prayer led by Pope Francis in union with the whole Church and different creeds worldwide, using technological means. But we felt uncomfortable, as we were safe and the world around us was not. We were not exposed to health risks and had the access to the satisfaction of our basic needs.

Holy Week, with all its prayers and rituals, has revived in us the certainty of God, from within each reality and continues to guide history. God, the Lord of Life is a God with us and walks with his people. He is our hope. So, we decided to pray with the people and walk with the people. We offered to prepare 25 meals a week to be distributed to the poor and those unable to leave their homes. We dedicate Tuesdays to cooking, preparing, packing meals and reaching out to the poor. We take care of ourselves and help others to take care of themselves. It may seem very little, but during this Pandemic, we are also at risk of being infected by the virus by going to the supermarket, standing in long lines and waiting, delivering meals. But we do it with a lot of love and commitment.

This year\´s Easter certainly had a very special and different flavour for each of us. I think that, prayer opened our inner ears to listen to the pain of families and the congregations. We also heard about the members going for their eternal reward without being able to say goodbye. We could also hear expressions of gratitude for so many concrete gestures of solidarity and sharing. We feel contented because we are helping to comfort so many lives. It\´s Easter! It is Resurrection and we can all walk hand in hand to embrace the world.

Sr. Ieda Maria Tomazini