On 23 September 2025, Her Excellency Nataša Pirc Musar, President of Slovenia, addressed the General Debate at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Excerpt from Nataša Pirc Musar’s UNGA 80 Speech…
“If we, the leaders of this planet, can offer nothing but terror, conflict, pollution, fear, inequality, and war to millions of people, then we must face the truth: we are complicit in crimes against our civilization and our planet. None of us can claim ignorance of what is happening. If we believe in human dignity for all, we must offer more –  a world that has life, not one that threatens us. Let us show that this General Assembly can and must make a difference.
Let us show that we reject arrogance, hatred, and willful blindness in the face of injustice and wars of aggression. We did not stop the Holocaust, we did not stop the genocide in Rwanda, we did not stop the genocide in Srebrenica. We must stop the genocide in Gaza. There are no excuses anymore. None.”
 
Source: https://gadebate.un.org/en/80/slovenia

The long-awaited and truly historic moment finally dawned on 18th July 2025 with the official opening of the Asian Continental Novitiate in Bolawalana, Sri Lanka. This event held profound significance and was further enriched by the gracious presence of Sr. Jesmin Fernando, General Councillor, along with the Provincial Leadership Teams from Jaffna and Colombo.
The day began with a heartfelt and warm welcome extended by the Novitiate Community, setting a joyful and reverent tone for the entire celebration. A grace-filled prayer service followed, during which the new Novice Mistress, Sr. Thiruselvarani Alas, was officially installed – a moment of deep spiritual meaning and hope. Afterward, all gathered to extend their good wishes to the newly formed Novitiate Community and to share their sentiments and blessings. Sr. Gresa Soosaidhasan, the outgoing Novice Mistress, offered a moving reflection on her journey and expressed sincere gratitude to all who had accompanied and supported her throughout her time of service. Expressions of appreciation and encouragement were shared by Srs. Jesmin Fernando, Theophane Croos, and Chandani Jayasuriya, who warmly thanked Sr. Gresa and extended a loving welcome to the new Novitiate Community. Srs. Selvarani Alas (Jaffna), Mangalika Fernando (Colombo), and Khalida from Pakistan also offered rich and heartfelt testimonies, adding depth, warmth, and inspiration to the occasion.
The day concluded with joyful fellowship over a delicious lunch lovingly prepared by the Novitiate Community – an uplifting and perfect ending to a day etched in the hearts of all who were present.
Sr. Catherine Liyanarachchi
Colombo, Sri Lanka
            
         

Today is the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Church invites us to reflect on the precious gift that Christ left to all the people of God: the gift of the Eucharist. And for us members of the PBN charismatic family, this feast gives us the opportunity to relive the great love that the Lord showed us by His appearance and His special blessing on 3 February 1822.
It is true that through the Eucharist, God makes Himself continually present and communicates His life to us, nourishing our living bodies through the sacraments, visible signs that, far beyond themselves, reveal to us in faith the great realities that are invisible to human eyes.
 ‘In the Eucharistic sacrifice, Christ’s whole being is truly present…. we join in Christ’s sacrifice and receive priceless benefits… By giving himself for everyone, Jesus has shown us the greatest sign of his love for us’ (Caroline N. MAOENG, Sister of the Holy Family of Bordeaux  :  “Under the banner of His love”, Lesotho 2025).
When we take and eat this Bread that nourishes, strengthens, recreates and sanctifies our whole being marked with the seal of the Triune God, and when we adore Him, in heartfelt prayer, simple presence in His Presence, praise and thanksgiving, intercession, etc., it is Jesus who makes all creatures and creation ONE with Him in our daily being and action. ‘I discovered that nature itself never fails to praise God. It has become for me a school of life, a source of joy and happiness that heals and consoles the broken soul…’ Caroline adds in her reflection. 
May the Lord help us to communion conscientiously in the Body and Blood of Christ, so that we may commit ourselves to following him and giving our lives for others.
Happy feast to all !
Sr. Claudine GAYONGO
Generalate Local Community – Rome

In this time of Jubilee, which spans all cultures and continents,
In this time of instability and upheaval,
In this time of fragility, doubt and creativity, we celebrate the Trinity!
It is a great feast for us, members of the Holy Family….
It is more than a commemoration: it is a reality that is capable of touching us, amazing us and filling us with life-energy!
‘The Holy Trinity being the great model of the Sisters of Loreto, since their hearts, their possessions, their works and their merits must be lost in God Alone, and moreover their Institute having been founded on Trinity Sunday, they shall have a very great devotion to this Feast.’ Constitutions 1825
Today, celebrating the Trinity means tapping into this same vital energy…
Let us bring to mind those ‘moments of the Trinity’ from the beginnings of our Family.
In the Church of Saint-Sulpice in Paris, on Trinity Sunday 1819, Pierre Bienvenu was ordained a priest. ‘Me, a priest, it seems like a dream!’
The following year, on the eve of the same feast day, the first three members of the first community gathered, and the next morning, at the Church of Sainte Eulalie, it was Pierre Bienvenu who gave the homily at the first Mass of Amand, his youngest brother.
How emotional it must have been!
And Catherine-Aimée, the first Sister of the Holy Family, was given the name Trinity!
It was the first Family celebration… of the Holy Family!
The Family to which we belong… And we too take these first recommendations to heart:
“You will never be poorer, weaker, or more deprived of human support than you are today, and yet, are you not happy to walk in the footsteps of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph?  Always remain the same, and you will grow in the midst of storms.”
And the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph grew…
Trinity on earth, Seed of the Church…
And today, we, like the first three members,
are faced with  the same realities of uncertainty, fragility, doubt – and Hope!!! …
Walking together on the same pilgrimage…
In this land of exile, we follow in the footsteps of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, ‘the first three members’ who open the way for us.
This is what keeps us together!
It is time to gather the sap that nourishes us and flows forth.
Let us harvest and share the fruits of life!!
For so much faithfulness, for the love shared,
O God, we give you our heartfelt thanks!
Thank you God, thank you!
Sr.Thérèse SEGRETAIN
France

I’m going to share with you briefly my experience of being blessed by Pope Francis. He was elected and died during my time in Rome, so this was a grace for me.
My first experience with him was on the day of his election. It was on 12 March 2013, around 7pm that the white smoke came out of the Sistine Chapel. I was in the house watching television. As soon as the smoke turned white, Eithne Hughes accompanied Maristella SOOSAIPILLAI and me by car. What a joy it was for me to get there before he appeared.
It was there, with all the crowds that had rushed and waited in St Peter’s Square, that I received the first blessing from the new Pope Francis.
The year after his pontificate began, in 2014, I was lucky enough to take part in his morning Mass celebrated in Santa Marta. It was on the occasion of my silver jubilee: 25 years of religious life. Pope Francis blessed me personally and I was given a few minutes to talk to him. My joy was even greater, because this time it was face to face.
A third blessing came in 2022, when the Holy Father postponed his visit to the DRC, my home country. He celebrated a Mass in the Congolese rite in St Peter’s Basilica with the Congolese of Italy in general and Rome in particular. I was chosen to carry the offerings. Bowing before him, he blessed what I was carrying and he also blessed me.
In addition to other general blessings I received at the Angelus or at Masses said by the Supreme Pontiff, I remember these special occasions well.
At his last Easter Mass in St Peter’s Square in 2025, he appeared for the blessing. I stayed with the crowd to wait for him to go round in the Pope Mobile to greet and bless the crowd. It was the last blessing I received from Pope Francis, on the eve of his death.
When he died and I went to bow before his body on display in St Peter’s Basilica, I remembered the journey I had made with him, without him knowing me particularly well. And I asked him to bless me from heaven and to pray for me, as he liked to repeat so that people would do for him.
At his funeral Mass in St Peter’s Square, I was still there to say THANK YOU for everything he had been for the Church and the world, praying above all for peace. It was also a farewell to him, because he has been a great inspiration in my life from the beginning of his pontificate with his encyclical ‘The Joy of the Gospel’ to ‘Fratelli Tutti’.
Pope Francis, pray for us!
Sr. Marie-Pierre OTIBA
Generalate Local Community, Rome

This afternoon, Pope Leo XIV made a surprise appearance in the Vatican Basilica to greet the participants in the Jubilee Pilgrimage for Peace in Africa of the African Ambassadors Accredited to the Holy See and to Italy. The Pope underlined the great witness that the African continent offers to the whole world.
Vatican News
“This Holy Year invites all the baptised to seek hope but also to be signs of hope for humanity. And in this sense, the African continent offers the whole world a great witness.” This is how Pope Leo XIV addressed the participants in the Jubilee pilgrimage for peace in Africa of the African Ambassadors Accredited to the Holy See and to Italy, whom he met by surprise in the Vatican Basilica, at the end of the Mass celebrated this evening at the Altar of the Chair, by Cardinal Francis Arinze, Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson and by Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu, Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation.
Walking together, united, at the service of others
Speaking spontaneously in English, the Pope stressed that it is our faith that gives us strength and allows us to see the light of Jesus Christ in our lives and to understand how important it is to live our faith, not just on Sundays, not just during a pilgrimage, but every day. To fill us with the hope that only Jesus Christ can give us, so that we can continue to walk together united as brothers and sisters to praise our God and to recognise that all that we have and all that we are is a gift from God and to put these gifts at the service of others.
Thank you for living your faith in Christ
Leo XIV greeted the ambassadors, their collaborators and all their families, thanking them for living their faith in Jesus Christ. The Jubilee pilgrimage has as its theme ‘Hope for Peace in Africa’ and was organised on the occasion of the 62nd International Day of Africa. Approximately 500 people attended the event.
I just came very briefly to greet all of you and to welcome you to Rome, to the Vatican, to Saint Peter’s Basilica, and to join you very briefly in this Jubilee pilgrimage during this Holy Year, a year which inspires us all and invites us all to look for hope, but also to be signs of hope.
How important it is that each and every baptized person feel himself or herself to be called by God to be a sign of hope in the world today.
It is our faith that gives us strength.  It is our faith that enables us to see the light of Jesus Christ in our lives and to understand how important it is to live our faith.  Not only on Sundays, not only during a pilgrimage, but each and every day so that we will be filled with the hope that only Jesus Christ can give us and that all of us together will continue to walk united as brothers and sisters to praise our God; to recognize that everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God, and to place those gifts at the service of others.
I am very happy to be able to greet you all for just a very brief moment this afternoon, but to say to each and every one of you: Thank you for living your life, your faith in Jesus Christ.
You are already very well accompanied by their Eminences, Cardinal Turkson, Cardinal Arinze, as well as Archbishop Fortunatus, and all of us together, filled with the great witness that you are all giving and that the continent of Africa gives to the whole world.
We say, “Thank you, Lord Jesus, and may your name be praised.”  God bless you all.

Three days before the ‘Easter’ of Pope Francis, the prevailing sentiment is one of gratitude for the GIFT that God gave us through his person and his ministry – a gift that reaches far beyond Roman Catholics.
His ministry began and ended with a ‘blessing’ for the ‘holy people of God’, as he liked to think of us. He was a giver of ‘blessings’ and, at the same time, someone in need of them – of prayer. He always asked insistently: “Don’t forget to pray for me.”
Today, it is we who ask him: “Don’t forget to pray for us.”
We do not know what the future holds, but we will not easily forget his legacy, for he challenged us to live the Gospel with consistency.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING, POPE FRANCIS.
 
Sr. Ana María Alcalde
Superior General

“Christ is alive! He is our hope, and in a wonderful way he brings youth to our world, and everything he touches becomes young, new, full of life. The very first words, then, that I would like to say to every young Christian are these: Christ is alive and he wants you to be alive!
He is in you, he is with you and he never abandons you. However far you may wander, he is always there, the Risen One. He calls you and he waits for you to return to him and start over again. When you feel you are growing old out of sorrow, resentment or fear, doubt or failure, he will always be there to restore your strength and your hope.” (Pope Francis, Christus Vivit, 1-2)
The experience of the Risen Jesus does not break in from outside, but illuminates and transforms our daily life and the life of all living beings from within. He lets himself be seen and experienced quietly but intimately, and cleanses our regard so that we see everything with new eyes. Without denying what we are living and suffering as humanity, and challenged as we are by the destruction to which we are subjecting the planet, the Risen One calls us back to an active hope in order to rebuild a world that is both necessary and possible.
The Easter experience does not erase the pain, it transforms it and confirms the promise of Jesus: ‘Do not be afraid’; ‘I am here’, ‘I am with you always until the end of the world’. The Risen Jesus does not come to resolve the situations that afflict us, He comes to console us and to rekindle our hope.
For this and so much more, let us celebrate Easter in communion with the whole of Creation and experience its fruits: peace, serene joy and renewed hope.
This is my heartfelt wish for each of you.
Sr. Ana María Alcalde

St. Joseph, often called the “Silent Saint,” was a man of deep faith, humility, and quiet strength. Though the Bible records no words spoken by him, his actions speak volumes. In today’s fast-paced world, where recognition and self-promotion are often prioritized, Joseph’s life reminds us of the power of silent dedication, trust in God, and unwavering service. His virtues are not outdated; rather, they offer timeless wisdom for contemporary society.
Pope Francis highlights Joseph’s quiet strength and the value of contemplation. In a world filled with noise and distractions, the Pope encourages individuals to find moments of silence for reflection and connection with God. St. Joseph’s ability to listen attentively to God’s guidance serves as a model for us. We, too, must cultivate our capacity to listen—not only to God but also to one another—fostering better relationships and stronger community bonds.
One of the most profound examples of someone who lived according to St. Joseph’s spirit in modern times is Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, the founder of the Holy Family of Bordeaux. Like Joseph, he dedicated his life to serving God and others, embracing humility, simplicity, and unwavering trust in divine providence. Although St. Joseph lived over 2,000 years ago, his virtues remain crucial in today’s world, where people face uncertainty, economic hardship, and challenges in family life. His example resonates deeply with modern fathers, workers, and spiritual leaders.
St. Joseph was entrusted with the care of Jesus and Mary, protecting and providing for them despite many hardships. Today, families struggle to balance their responsibilities amid financial stress and the complexities of modern life. Joseph’s example reminds us that true fatherhood is not about authority but about selfless love, protection, and guidance. He teaches us that all work, when done with love and dedication, is honorable. As the patron of workers, he reminds us that even the smallest efforts can be a path to holiness. He always surrendered to God’s will, even when the future was uncertain.
Today, we continue to follow in St. Joseph’s footsteps. Our work in education, social outreach, and pastoral care reflects his spirit of quiet dedication and service. St. Joseph’s life reminds us that holiness is not found in fame or power but in faithfulness, humility, and loving service. Fr. Noailles followed this same path, proving that even in a world that values recognition, the greatest work is often done in silence. As the world moves forward, the example of St. Joseph remains a guiding light for those who seek to live lives of purpose, faith, and selfless love.
 
Sr. Rathini Keethapongalan
Jaffna Unit, Sri Lanka
 

March 8th is celebrated as International Women’s Day, a time to appreciate the contributions and achievements of women across various fields globally. In addition, the Universal Church is celebrating the Jubilee Year 2025 with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, inviting us to reflect on the journey of faith, hope, and love that has brought us to this moment.
Women’s Day encourages us to look back at the history of our PBN family, where our Early Mothers endured struggles and hardships with unwavering faith and hope, living for God Alone and keeping our Charism alive in their time. The Blessing of the Miraculous Benediction renewed the strength and energy of our Sisters, serving as a sign of hope to continue their mission of communion, no matter the circumstances. United with the Lord, our Early Mothers stepped into a society marked by hatred, anger, disunity, and social injustice. Yet, they became bearers of communion, bringing light to the darkness of social challenges.
Their very presence transformed lives. They were mothers to orphans, friends to the lonely, healing hands for the sick and abandoned, and loving guides for the young. Above all, they were a beacon of hope for the downhearted. What gave them such enthusiasm and zeal? It was the gift of Charism, filling their hearts and souls with love, which in turn spread the fragrance of newness through our mission everywhere. They put faith into action and love into service, beginning a journey of transformation by anchoring their hope in the midst of life’s storms.
Now, two hundred years later, our “Call to Action” in this Jubilee Year invites us to renew our hope and rekindle the flame of faith in the face of modern challenges. Let us deepen our faith by drawing strength from our roots – the Early Mothers who were rooted in prayer and contemplation – so that we may give glory to God Alone. Let us share love, extend kindness, and transform the lives of women today who face numerous responsibilities and struggles, including: balancing career and family, the gender pay gap, workplace harassment, access to education, mental health stigmas, domestic violence, cultural expectations, political participation, cyber harassment and other emerging challenges.
As children of PBN, we are called once again to challenge society and be bearers of hope for the women of today, just as our Early Mothers did.
May we continue to walk as Pilgrims of Hope, guided by faith, hope, and love. Pope Francis calls us, as a global community, to embrace a spirit of pilgrimage throughout this Jubilee Year – to journey “with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and a far-sighted mission.” This pilgrimage calls us to pray, to carry out works of justice and charity, to stand with those in need, to care for creation, and to grow together as a human family. Let us journey forward in hope.
Sr. Tahira Sarwar
Pakistan