In Letter 45, our Superior General Graciela Francovig shared with us some news from the Body that invite us to gratitude, solidarity and to keep hope alive. Among them, she spoke to us about the journey of our sisters in Mozambique, who are living a time of changes, searches and new beginnings.
Just a few days ago we celebrated the feast of Pentecost, which reminds us of the missionary sending and the action of the Spirit that impels us to go out, to announce, to accompany and to sow hope in the midst of the people. With this same Spirit, our sisters continue their journey in Mozambique.
In mid-February, the Church and the people of Metoro and Maputo bid a fond farewell to the sisters after years of presence and service in this land so dear to us. Since then, they began their journey to Inhambane, where two sisters from Maputo were already waiting for them . This is for them a time of getting to know, of adaptation, of encountering new realities and of taking their first steps in a mission that has just begun. Our sister Kenia Cedeño, from the Dominican Republic, after having been in Brazil for some time, preparing herself for this mission, learning Portuguese to be able to communicate and share better with the Mozambican people, as Graciela indicated in her letter, is already in Inhambane.
For her part, Maria Aparecida Ramos continues in Pemba to complete the psychosocial accompaniment of people who have lived through the harsh traumas of the war that recently struck the region. After discerning it together,“says Graciela,” they understood that we could not leave without concluding this service, which is so necessary for those who suffer the most. During these months, Aparecida is living with the Pastorelle Sisters of that city.
In addition, Maria de la O Martinez, delegate of Mozambique, closely accompanies this movement and new presence. She was in Mozambique before the GCXIX to coordinate the necessary with the sisters of this Congregation and to know personally the new mission in Inhambane.
As Graciela reminded us in her letter, this time has meant many departures for our sisters. Not only geographical displacements or changes of diocese, but also interior departures, having to leave dear places and people, where the need is so great and where, humanly speaking, we feel that we should never leave.
Today we want to express our profound gratitude for the 20 years of presence of the Daughters of Jesus in Metoro and Pemba, and for all the good sown in so many lives through the patient, selfless and prophetic dedication of so many Daughters of Jesus during these years. To all of them, in the name of the Congregation: thank you, dear sisters!
With gratitude and hope, we share this news that, as Graciela says, moves us to go out, to seek and to trust that God continues to make a way with us, wherever we are sent.
