Dear sisters and young women in formation,
Before our eyes, scenes of war, death, violence, injustice, senseless suffering, and arrogant abuse of power unfold, like a film that, sadly, is never forgotten. So how can we speak of Easter today? How can we tell the world that Easter is and continues to be a force of life, a source of joy and hope? How can we let ourselves be filled with the certainty that the resurrection of Jesus is still, especially now, Good News?
There is only one answer: it is necessary, it is essential, to return to that “first day of the week,” to that morning born out of the deepest darkness of night. We must go back there so we do not give in to the darkness, so we can give new expression to our believing, hoping, and loving. We must rise, especially when the darkness is most profound, and go, run… like Mary Magdalene, like Peter and John.
“Easter is from the Hebrew verb pesach, ‘to pass over’,” writes Erri de Luca, an Italian writer and poet who has a deep passion for Sacred Scripture. “It’s not a feast for those settled in one place, but for migrants who hurry on their journey.” And the first journey we must undertake is the journey of hope, as the Jubilee Year we are living reminds us. Because only hope makes us “Easter women”, able to roll away the tombstone of resignation, disappointment, and distrust. To see signs of life where death seems to reign, to continue communicating, through the extraordinary expressions of our mission, that love has the final word, that each day is a miracle come true, that the adventure of life already bears the marks of eternity.
From that incredible Easter dawn, hope clothes us like a beautiful garment woven from “the burial shroud of a body of love, now risen” (R.S. Thomas).
These are dark days, and we need the light of the Risen One to transfigure pain and wounds, to see deeply, with eyes “bathed in resurrection”, where life is hidden. And this light must be spread: «“You are the light of the world,” says Jesus. “Let your light shine,” says Jesus. The light of God is found in truth, goodness, and grace — a radiant Easter!» (Blessed James Alberione).
Happy Easter, and may hope fill your hearts, dear sisters, those of your families, the members of the Pauline Family, collaborators, friends, and benefactors. May the light of Easter reach each one and be a sign of the Risen One’s presence.
With deep affection, in communion of joy and hope,
Sr. Anna Caiazza
and the Sisters of the General Government
