On the 26th October, the Sri Lankan sisters in the Generalate organised a prayerful reflection with the aid of a power point presentation to mark the 150th year of the arrival of the Holy Family Sisters, in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan sisters in the community of Via dei Gracchi joined this celebration.
150 YEARS OF THE PRESENCE OF HOLY FAMILY SISTERS IN
SRI LANKA CELEBRATED IN THE GENERALATE
 
 
 
On the 26th October, the Sri Lankan sisters in the Generalate organised a prayerful reflection with the aid of a power point presentation to mark the 150th year of the arrival of the Holy Family Sisters, in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan sisters in the community of Via dei Gracchi joined this celebration.
 

 
This short power point was a help to all the sisters to understand the arrival, the history, and expansion of the Holy Family in Sri Lanka.  The challenges, new calls to go deeper were depicted very well.
 
 
The General Chapter of 1957 marked an important change in the history of the Holy Family. According to the decree of the Superior General on 4 August 1958 Sri Lanka (known as Ceylon) became two provinces- Northern and Southern.  In 1965, the South was divided in to two provinces – Chilaw-Kandy andColombo.  In 1969 due to various reasons the South was re-unified as one Province- Colombo.
 
‘The past becomes  something that leads to the present, the moment of action, the future, something that flows  from it; and all three ( past, present and  future) are inextricably  inter-twined and  inter-related”   (Ref: Discovery of India by Neru)
 
30 years of war have caused disaster in the country. The Sisters and the people in the North faced great sufferings and austerities during this time when they were caught up between the two parties that were at war.  During this time many lives were lost through out the country. At this moment we were silently united in prayer for all those who lost their lives throughout the country.
 

 
 
After the War steps were taken to move towards reconciliation.
Our formation has taken a positive step to give the formees a contextualized formation to be prophetic religious. In view of this we are giving the pre – novices extra one year of work experience outside the convent. Sisters have participated in many programmes and discussion groups organized by different joint groups.  The joint formation novitiate became a reality.
 
The seed that was planted in Jaffnahas grown and has become a big tree spreading its branches to other countries too. Today our Sri Lankan Holy Family Sisters work in 11 dioceses of our country. Along with that they are working in 8 other countries strengthening and spreading the faith. This is done by the Apostolic Branch of the sisters, while there are Contemplatives, and Lay Consecrated Ones who continue the mission in different ways. Besides these our Priest Associates live and promote the Holy Family spirituality where ever they are, and our Lay Associates promote the Christian family life wherever it is possible.  Through all these we seek nothing but the Glory of God Alone.
 
Our prayer concluded with the words of our Good Father, “My Daughters there is nothing now that check your course. Go Forward increase in numbers and virtues and may your hands scatter on all sides the divine seed of good works and good example.  In so far as, feeble creatures can approach such perfect models, be gentle, compassionate and obedient like Jesus, humble and modest and pure like Mary, poor industrious and faithful like St. Joseph.  Worthy children of the Holy Family have with this Family but one spirit one heart”.
 
Our celebration ended with a shared meal and everyone enjoyed the programme of the day.
 

The Holy Family Sisters concluded their Triple Golden Jubilee with a Solemn Thanksgiving Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna. The was concelebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Spiteri, Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam, Bishop of Ratnapura Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera OSB, Rev. Fr. J. Nicholas, Coordinator- Priest Associates, Jaffna, Rev. Fr. Paul Nadechthiram OMI, Provincial of Jaffna Oblates and priests from the different dioceses who graced the occasion.
TRIPLE GOLDEN JUBILEE WRAP- UP CELEBRATIONS
 

 
The Holy Family Sisters concluded their Triple Golden Jubilee with a Solemn Thanksgiving Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, Jaffna.  The was concelebrated by the Apostolic Nuncio Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Spiteri, Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundranayagam, Bishop of Ratnapura Rt. Rev. Dr. Cletus C. Perera OSB, Rev. Fr. J. Nicholas, Coordinator- Priest Associates, Jaffna, Rev. Fr. Paul Nadechthiram OMI, Provincial of Jaffna Oblates and priests from the different dioceses who graced the occasion.  The student representatives from the School in the vicinity, the members of the 5 vocations of the Family of Pierre Bienvue Noailles, representatives from the parishes where the Holy Family Sisters are serving joined in the Thanksgiving Eucharist.
 
The Eucharist was preceded by the procession from the Bishop’s House Chapel and at the entrance to the Cathedral where the Chief celebrant the Apostolic Nuncio was welcomed in the Tamil traditional way by ‘Arathi’ with a “Nirai Kudam” symbolizing the fullness of God’s blessings upon him. A plaque bearing the image of the boat, Bishop Semeria OMI and the six sisters was placed in the Sanctuary and Sr. Yolande Mathias, Provincial Holy Family Sisters, Jaffna carried the lighted Paschal candle placed it in the sanctuary.  The Eucharist commenced with the Introduction in Tamil and English.  I give below the English introduction:   
 
Distinguished celebrants,
This solemn gathering invites us to recall the many events in the Sacred Scriptures when God’s people came together to praise and thank our God for the divine protection and guidance in their sacred history.   One of these instances is found in 1 Chronicles, Ch. 16: 6-12.  David, the king and prophet brought the Ark of the Covenant set it inside the tent he had specially pitched for the purpose.  He offered sacrifices in thanksgiving, burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.  He then called Asaph, the chief of his musicians and his choir to sing the Psalm of thanksgiving with lyres, harps, trumpets and cymbals. 
 
With similar sentiments of awe, gratitude and joy, we, the members of the Holy Family Association (Associates, laity and priests, secular religious, Apostolic and Contemplative sisters) together with all of you, the holy people of God, thank God to whom all praise is due, in those self same words from David:
 
“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, and proclaim his deeds to the peoples.
                        Sing to him, sing his praise; tell of all his marvels.
                        Glory in his holy name, let the hearts that seek Yahweh, seek, rejoice!” 
 
With heartfelt gratitude, we remember Mgr. Orazio Bettachini – the Vicar Apostolic of the Northern Vicariate and his successor Mgr. Etienne Semeria OMI who in their ardent zeal saw the urgent need for development and education of women and girls in this Vicariate.  Mgr. Bettachini in 1845 opened the seminary for boys and girls, entrusting the boys seminary to Mr. Patrick Foy, an Irish gentleman and that of the girls to Mrs. Mary Anne O’Flanagan, wife of an Irish military officer.
 
It was left to Mgr. Semeria OMI to carry out the project to bring missionaries for the education of the youth.  In 1858, the affiliation of the Holy Family Congregation and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate was signed by the two Founders, Ven. Pierre Bienvenu Noailles and Bishop St. Eugene De Mazenod.  This facilitated the realization of the project.  The Holy Family missionaries were chosen and were given intensive preparation in Martillac – the spiritual Centre of the Holy Family.
 
In 1861 Mgr. Semeria was called to assist at the General Chapter of the Congregation to elect Mgr. De Mazenod’s successor.  On his return journey to Ceylon – he was able to recruit two Irish brothers, Bro. Conway and Bro. Dowing for the direction of the Boys’ Schools.  Fathers Boutin and Boisseau and six sisters of the Holy Family and they embarked from Marseilles.  The party finally reached their destination Jaffna on 1st November, travelling by the ‘Pearl’ – the colonial steamer placed at the disposal of Bishop Semeria – through the courtesy of the then Governor, Sir Mc Charles Justin Macharthy – a relative of Cardinal Wiseman.  Their arrival, the warm welcome accorded to them, their generous and selfless service in the mission country are now history – but printed in letters of gold in the Book of Life.
 
Today we gratefully recall all the Holy Family missionaries and indigenous sisters who have toiled in this land, all you have journeyed with them – the holy and zealous missionaries of the OMI Congregation, diocesan priests, all the Catholics and peoples of all religions, our past pupils of all the Holy Family Convent Schools.  As we relive the 150 years, we beg the Almighty God for new energy for the years to come.
 We conclude with the challenging words of our Founder Venerable Pierre Bienvenu Noailles which inspired, sustained the missionaries then and which continues to give life to us today and for the future.
 
 
Wer beg God to re-fill us all with the Spirit of god Alone, the Spirit of universal charity, to faithfully walk in the footsteps of Jesus Mary and Joseph and of all our generous Holy Family predecessors who toiled selflessly, untiringly and joyfully for the spread of God’s reign in our land.
“There is nothing now that can check your course.  God forward, increase in numbers and virtues and may your hands scatter on all sides the divine seed of good works and good example.”   PBN            
 
The Mass was in English and Tamil with hymn and prayers of the faithful in the three languages, English, Tamil and Sinhala.   The Apostolic Nuncio in his sermon based on the Gospel, gave a thought provoking message, stressing on the need to cling to God who is the source and strength to live a fruitful life through our prayer life and the Word of God.   Bishop Thomas Savundranayagam stressed on the year of Faith and the call by the Church to deepen and strengthen our faith in our daily life to respond to the situations that our people are facing in our society.
 
At the conclusion of the Mass the Apostolic Nuncio imparted the Apostolic blessing.  Sr. Francis Joseph gave the vote and thanks invited the participants to join the Family of P.B. Noailles in the fellowship meal arranged in different places.
 
At 4.30 p.m. all proceeded to St. John’s College auditorium to participate in the Cultural programme, “Splash of Colors” was organized to bring all celebration to a joyful ending.  The special invitees were welcomed in the traditional way at the entrance to the auditorium, with the lighting of the traditional lamp, opening prayer to the Trinity ‘Bajana’ was intoned with this the programme for the evening commenced with a welcome dance. This was followed by the welcome speech by Sr. Yolande Mathias, Provincial, H.F. Jaffna. The launching of the Jubilee Souvenir “Bountiful Blessing” a glimpse into content of the Souvenir was given by Sr. Bonaventure Emmanuel and the distribution of the Souvenir to the special invitees and others took place.   This was followed by speeches from special invitees and a Message from the Apostolic Nuncio about being Family and the need of the time in this country is to build up this family spirit which is necessary to live in unity and communion.  Bishop Thomas Savundranayagam, in his humorous way stressed on the need to give a Christian name to our children and that it helps the child to follow the footprints and values of their patron which in the long run will help to deepen the faith of the child.  The day came to a close with the vote of thanks by Sr. Jeevamalar Philip, Councillor and a final song dedicated to the Souvenir “Bountiful Blessing”  
 
Bonaventian Bastian     
 
 
 

The Youth programme was one of the Jubilee events to mark the 150th year of the arrival of the Holy Family Sisters in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. We invited High School students from 42 schools where our sisters are teaching and there were 305 students who participated in it along with the sister. It was held on the 29th September. The day’s Programme was: Parade with Band (Ilavalai and Jaffna Convent) Papal flag, Holy Family Flag, and their school flags.

150th Anniversary celebration with Youth.
 
The Youth programme was one of the Jubilee events to mark the 150th year of the arrival of the Holy Family Sisters in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. We invited High School students from 42 schools where our sisters are teaching and there were 305 students who participated in it along with the sister. It was held on the 29th September. The day’s Programme was: Parade with Band (Ilavalai and Jaffna Convent) Papal flag, Holy Family Flag, and their school flags.
Participants were given a cap and a small Holy Family Flag with the emblem on it as a souvenir.
 
 
Impression of footprints: – this was done when all gathered at School ground of Jaffna Convent. There was a path made leading to the model made of ( Founder, Bishop.Sameria,6 Pioneers) and the footprints on coloured path was very  meaningful and visible when the invitees walked along the path. This reminded the first foot prints of our early mothers and their journey and the continuous journey of ours.
 
Then there was a video presentation on the brief History of our P.B. Noailles Family, Founder and his conversion experience, Foundation, Miraculous Benediction and the arrival in Sri Lanka. This was produced by our sisters and directed by Sr.Doreen Philippiah.
 
Then there was a place with the photos of students arranged and they had to find their names and sign on it. This produced much laughter.
 

 
Then there was a talk on Youth and Holy Family Sisters by Fr. Jerome Lambert OMI where he stressed on the Services of the Holy Family and the responsibility of the youth to value their life and give witness to all that they receive.
 
They also enjoyed a good meal sponsored by different schools and by the Province too.
Then Sr. Christobel gave a power point presentation on youth and their challenges today and there was time for group discussion and a brief feedback from groups. They had games to get to know and to work in groups.
 
After lunch they had a “Value walk ” there were posters on different values and they were invited to walk around and jot down what touched them.  This was later shared in groups.
 
Then they had a power point presentation on “Cosmic communion” and time for discussion. This was prepared by Sr. Shanthi Simon.
 
Then they had a group discussion with their group animators to summarise the days programme. Then they were given a page to write their experience in symbols and writing and they were collected and it is in the process of printing and it will reach all the schools, communities and others in the near future.
 

 
All had a very fruitful day and everyone really enjoyed the programme and benefited by it. Then came in the evaluation.
At the end, there was a quality entertainment programme presented by different schools and the day came to an end with bringing down the Holy Family Flag and singing the anthem.
Shanthi Simon
Jaffna Province
 

Dialogue at the beginning of Mass between Carmeline and Christaline to explain to those present the meaning of the celebration.
CELEBRATION OF THE TWO MARTILLAC COMMUNITIES
 
MARKING THE 150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF
 
THE FIRST HOLY FAMILY SISTERS IN SRI LANKA
 
 
 
Dialogue at the beginning of Mass between Carmeline and Christaline  to explain to those present the meaning of the celebration.
 
Christaline:  Good morning, Carmeline, could you please explain why we are here this morning?
 
Carmeline:  Yes, with pleasure: We are here to celebrate Mass in thanksgiving for the zeal and generosity of our first Mothers and of all the sisters who, for 150 years have given their lives in the service of the people of Sri Lanka.
 
Christaline: So we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the foundation of the Holy Family of Bordeaux in Sri Lanka!
 
Carmeline: Yes.  After a 45-day sea voyage our first Mothers arrived in the south of Sri Lanka on the 6th September 1862.  A few weeks later, with the permission of the Government, they moved to the north of the Island.
 
Christaline: Can you tell me how many European sisters went to Sri Lanka in the beginning and where they came from?
 
Carmeline: The Founder wanted to send 6 sisters in the beginning, but due to the needs of people and the situation of the country, the number of sisters was raised to 29.  They came from France, Spain, Ireland, England, Belgium, Poland, and Holland.
 
Christaline: Where did they get the energy to persevere in their mission in Sri Lanka?
 
Carmeline:  From the spirit of God Alone which gave them the courage to go ahead and help the people; also from their own zeal for the Kingdom of God.
 
They had to face many hardships.  For example: the language, the culture, the changes in the climate; and also different kinds of diseases.
But it was their love for the people of Sri Lanka that sustained them.  They appreciated their simplicity, their hospitality, their joyful presence, and their trust in God.
 
If someone were to ask me to talk about the quality of the services rendered by the sisters, I would reply that they were first class!
 
Christaline: They began by educating the children, especially orphans and very poor children,
 
They got schools built in which they themselves taught.  They opened dispensaries, and started sewing workshops for young women and widows and other women in need of financial help.  The sisters also worked in the fields.
 
Carmeline: Constantly open to the signs of the times and ready to take risks, within a period of 8 years they had extended their ministries to many other parts of the Island.
 
Today we remember with gratitude and affection those religious women. We thank the Lord for his protection and his goodness throughout these 150 years.
 
God is calling us as he called our Founder and first mothers to create a new society in which all his children will be gathered in one single Family under the protection of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
 

The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, an alliance of more than 135 NGOs, bar associations, local authorities and unions, was created in Rome on 13 May 2002. It was founded as a result of the commitment made by the signatories of the Final Declaration of the 1st World Congress Against the Death Penalty organised

Mobilizing for universal abolition
 
The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, an alliance of more than 135 NGOs, bar associations, local authorities and unions, was created in Rome on 13 May 2002. It was founded as a result of the commitment made by the signatories of the Final Declaration of the 1st World Congress Against the Death Penalty organised by the French NGO Together Against the Death Penalty (ECPM) in Strasbourg in June 2001.
The aim of the World Coalition is to strengthen the international dimension of the fight against the death penalty. Its ultimate objective is to obtain the universal abolition of the death penalty.
 

10th World Day against the Death Penalty
 
Significant progress to end the death penalty has been made over the past 10 years. Global momentum continues to build toward complete abolition, but work remains to be done to end capital punishment.
 
The worldwide trend towards abolition: progress of the past 10 years.
 The last decade has seen a large increase in the number of countries that have officially abolished the death penalty or eliminated the use of the death penalty in practice:
• 141 countries are abolitionist in law or in practice;
• 97 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes;
• 36 countries have abolished the death penalty in practice;
• 8 countries have abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes.
 
http://www.worldcoalition.org/worldday
 
 
 

With this solemn concelebration we open the thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. This theme reflects a programmatic direction for the life of the Church, its members, families, its communities and institutions.
 
HOLY MASS FOR THE OPENING OF THE SYNOD OF BISHOPS ANDPROCLAMATION OF ST JOHN OF AVILA AND
OF ST HILDEGARD OF BINGENAS “DOCTORS OF THE CHURCH”
 
  
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI
Sunday, 7 October 2012
 
 
 
Dear Brother Bishops,
Dear brothers and sisters,
 
With this solemn concelebration we open the thirteenth Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme The New Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith. This theme reflects a programmatic direction for the life of the Church, its members, families, its communities and institutions. And this outline is reinforced by the fact that it coincides with the beginning of the Year of Faith, starting on 11 October, on the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council. I give a cordial and grateful welcome to you who have come to be part of the Synodal Assembly, in particular to the Secretary-General of the Synod of Bishops, and to his colleagues. I salute the fraternal delegates of the other churches and ecclesial communities as well as all present, inviting them to accompany in daily prayer the deliberations which will take place over the next three weeks.
 
The readings for this Sunday’s Liturgy of the Word propose to us two principal points of reflection: the first on matrimony, which I will touch shortly; and the second on Jesus Christ, which I will discuss now. We do not have time to comment upon the passage from the Letter to the Hebrews but, at the beginning of this Synodal Assembly, we ought to welcome the invitation to fix our gaze upon the Lord Jesus, “crowned with glory and honour, because of the suffering of death (2:9). The word of God places us before the glorious One who was crucified, so that our whole lives, and in particular the commitment of this Synodal session, will take place in the sight of him and in the light of his mystery. In every time and place, evangelization always has as its starting and finishing points Jesus Christ, the Son of God (cf. Mk 1:1); and the Crucifix is the supremely distinctive sign of him who announces the Gospel: a sign of love and peace, a call to conversion and reconciliation. My dear Brother Bishops, starting with ourselves, let us fix our gaze upon him and let us be purified by his grace.
 
Click on the titles to read more…  HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE BENEDICT XVI
 
 

We are happy to announce the inauguration of a new space for Information within the Family: on September 8 a new website for the Congress of the Family will be accessible to all.
 
ALL MEMBERS of the FAMILY of PIERRE BIENVENU NOAILLES
 
 
Dear all:
 
We are happy to announce the inauguration of a new space for Information within the Family:  on September 8 a new website for the Congress of the Family will be accessible to all.
 
This web page was created with the desire to continue to deepen the experience of communion and sharing we have experienced during the first phase of the Congress, and to permit the greatest possible number of people to follow Phase two, which will take place in Martillac.
 
The address of the website is:  http://congres2012.saintefamille.fr
 
The content will be available in three languages: French, English and Spanish. There will also be an interactive space to insert our comments.
 
We sincerely hope that this will serve to strengthen our communion and permit us to live this important event together as a Family that is “gift to the world.”
 
In the joy of being Family, we send you our love.
 
THE INTERNATIONAL INFORMATION TEAM
 
 
 

Given the serious consequences following the tragic events of the death of peasants and police at Estancia Campos Morombí, with the subsequent decision to impeach the President of the Republic and related to this the implications for the present and the future of the social and political life of the country the Executive Committee of the Conference of Religious in Paraguay (CONFERPAR), declare the following:
 
CONFERENCE OF RELIGIOUS IN PARAGUAY
 
In recent days the Conference of Religious in Paraguay issued a statement expressing its position regarding the latest political and social events.
Asunción, 22 June 2012
Given the serious consequences following the tragic  events of the death of peasants and police at Estancia Campos Morombí, with the subsequent decision to impeach the President of the Republic and related to this the implications for the present and the future of the social and political life of the country the Executive Committee of the Conference of Religious in Paraguay (CONFERPAR), declare the following:
From our Christian standpoint the use of violence and criminal activity will never be acceptable as a means to press claims or defend interests. We weep at the death of peasants and police and we vigorously demand clarification regarding these events, and while we encourage everyone to work for peace a true children of God, we repeat that the peace wiled by God will not come from hiding problems, but as the result of genuine social justice.
At the foundation of these events we see the complicity of the three powers of the state, in the abandonment of a wholesale agrarian reform, in the failure to face the problem of land distribution – until now subject to a process of hoarding –in irregular activities, in illegal possession and in the systematic turning of a blind eye to these problems by the justice system and by parliament. As long as the three powers of the state fail to give a serious and concerted response to this problem, they will continue to bear the responsibility for the violence which arises from an attempt to find a way out under pressure with un-for-seeable consequences.
We are particularly struck by the quick reaction of the political parties and their representatives who have moved to impeach the President in the two houses of the National Congress, which, while being a constitutional procedure, is being implemented in such a way as to give rise to the justified suspicion of mal practice, seriously compromising the legitimately instituted process of  a popular election, as though this were a solution to our problems and as if there were a single source of responsibility for the serious questions which threaten our society.
We look with concern at the way the facts are being manipulated, through many of the media, on the part of groups seeking political advantage, with impunity, and the maintenance of a status quo that favours personal or business interests. We see the political parties more interested in defending their share of power and the distribution of offices, than in seeking a practical solution to our problems. We consider it a lack of respect for life and human dignity that they are using the deaths of people to create an atmosphere of instability to blame the peasants and criminalise their organisations, to exasperate the police and military, producing a climate of terror to dissuade and undermine the indignant citizens.
It is surprising to see these same parliamentarians, until a short time again discredited in the face of the claims of the people on account of their embarrassing behaviour are now the ones who make accusations and setting themselves up as absolute judges, and as defenders of the Homeland. It makes us think that with all this, and not by chance, the demands from the citizens about the “lista sábanas”, the demand for members of the court to face political judgement, the small steps taken regarding taxation on personal income will disappear from sight.
As part of the pilgrim Church in Paraguay, responding to our commitment to God and to His people, we are inviting everyone to participate responsibly, personally and as organisations in the  construction of a State of Law based on social justice, the inclusion of all our fellow-citizens, on respect for the will of the people, integrated in the democratic progress of our neighbouring countries.
We feel ourselves to be part of a Church committed to peace that comes from justice, which opens its arms with a special love to the poorest, and we invite all sections of society to give the best of themselves in the task of building a people of brothers and sisters, working for greater equality in the distribution of  goods, towards a promising future.
The Executive Committee:
Sr Venancia González, FMA.
Fr José Ramón Torre-Marín, SS.CC.
Fr Alberto Luna, SJ.
Sr María Elisa Ortiz, HC.
Fr Walter Jara, SDB.
Fr Federico Gayoso, TOR.
Fr Pedro Jubenville, CSSp.
 
http://www.infoans.org
Published: June 28, 2012
 

The fundamental inspiration of Father Pierre Bienvenu Noailles was to perceive the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as “the gentle image of the Trinity and seed of the Church”. For him as for every believer, the mystery of the most Holy Trinity is “the” ineffable, unknowable mystery that can only be communicated through the incarnation of God’s Son, Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Mary and “known also as Son of Joseph”.
FOR THE FEAST POF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
 

 
The fundamental inspiration of Father Pierre Bienvenu Noailles was to perceive the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph as “the gentle image of the Trinity and seed of the Church”.  For him as for every believer, the mystery of the most Holy Trinity is “the” ineffable, unknowable mystery that can only be communicated through the incarnation of God’s Son, Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Mary and “known also as Son of Joseph”.
 
This mystery of the Trinity, of the unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit can only be approached on one’s knees, that is to say in an attitude of loving adoration, where words fail and love blossoms.  This is the only attitude which enables us to enter into communion with the intimate life of God in Three Persons, from whence all life springs forth – a life that “permeates the whole universe and has been evident throughout the entire history of Salvation” (R.P.C. nº 167).
 
Sometimes we speak of this unprecedented mystery as if we had certain knowledge of it.  But we know that this mystery is beyond all understanding.  And yet it is the fundamental mystery of our Christian life, a mystery that is the origin of our Baptism and of our identity as children of God. 
 
A Jewish man who became a Christian and then a Jesuit priest said once to a confrere, also a Jesuit: “You do not know how significant it is for me to believe in a God who is one and Three.   The traditional Jewish profession of faith says: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, is ONE. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (Deut, 6, 4).  The use of the expression: “the Lord is ONE” affirms that the God of Israel cannot be divided or multiplied”.   His Jesuit confrere, in his turn was struck by the unbelievable greatness of the mystery of the Incarnation of the only Son of God.  It is Jesus, the Word made flesh who reveals God to us; and it is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Father and the Son who enables us to enter into communion with the One God in three Persons. 
 
For us believers, the Mystery of the Trinity is inaccessible.  And the danger for long-standing Christians is to speak of the Trinity with a “facility” and an “understanding” that can perhaps lead us to ask ourselves what it is that we really understand.  The most humble of believers may perhaps be greater than learned people, even though the latter may be theologians or experienced exegetes.  All must fall to their knees before this sublime mystery and adore.  In writing to the Romans, Paul says: “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. “ (Rom. 10, 9).  And to the Galatians he says:”But when the set time had fully come, God sent God’s Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption as God’s children.  Because you are God’s children, God sent the Spirit of God’s Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father!”  So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are God’s child, God has made you also an heir.” (4, 4-7).
 
The feast of the Most Holy Trinity is also the feast of our adoption as God’s sons and daughters in Jesus the only begotten son.  Hence we are filled with gratitude and our faith is renewed in this great act of the love of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Far from being sad because we do not understand this mystery, we should rejoice and give thanks for what it means for us humans: to be sons and daughters of God, and we should proclaim it with our lives by giving ourselves in love to this God who “loved us first” (1 John: 4,19).
 
 
Françoise Daigneault
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

AGAINST TRAFFICKING – An English girl, forced into prostitution in Italy, was among the key speakers at an international conference on combating human trafficking hosted by the Pontifical Justice and Peace Council in the Vatican on Tuesday.
COMBATTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
 
 
 
AGAINST TRAFFICKING – An English girl, forced into prostitution in Italy, was among the key speakers at an international conference on combating human trafficking hosted by the Pontifical Justice and Peace Council in the Vatican on Tuesday.
 
The meeting, jointly organised by the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales, brought British police and crime experts together with bishops, priests and women religious working in the fields of prevention, pastoral support and reintegration of trafficked victims.
 
The goal of the one day conference was to highlight the scale of the problem – defined by the UN as the second most profitable worldwide criminal enterprise after the arms trade – and promote closer collaboration between churches, national authorities and international organisations.
 
Among the dramatic stories presented to participants was the harrowing tale of how one English girl was lured by her Albanian boyfriend for a holiday in Italy and forced to sell her body on the streets for six months until she was able to escape back home.
She’s called Sophie Hayes, though of course that’s not her real name, or her real voice. But her experience of being betrayed by the man who’d befriended her for several years was so horrific that she wanted to tell her story and help others in the fight against this modern form of slavery….
“He told me he’d take my brother away from my family if I ever tried to escape, to speak to anyone, that I couldn’t trust anbody, that he had people working for him, the police, if I went to a train station, airport, I could never escape….”
But Sophie’s story doesn’t end there. After six months, admitted to hospital for chronic stomach pains, she managed to speak to her mother who came out to Italy and brought her home. Now ten years on, she has written a book about her ordeal and set up a foundation to help others from falling into the same trap.
At the opening of the conference, the president of the Pontifical Justice and Peace Council Cardinal Peter Turkson said he welcomed the initiative of the UK Catholic Bishops in helping raise awareness of the plight of so many people who fall victim to the traffickers. New evangelisation, he said, means helping to change minds and hearts and working for greater justice in the world.
 
There is already a successful network, especially of women religious in countries around the world, working to support such women and stop the trafficking gangs. The hope of this conference is that anyone, everyone, listening to Sophie’s story will want to become part of this partnership, through prayer, through fund raising or other practical action. Because what happened to Sophie could also happen to your daughter, your sister, your neighbour, your friend.
 
www.radiovaticana.org
Published: May 9, 2012