Let us journey together, in hope, towards the light of the Risen Christ 

Dear friends of WUCWO,

we are in the midst of Lent, a sacred time that the Church offers us to prepare our hearts and open ourselves to God's grace. In a little more than two weeks we will begin the Holy Week and then Easter. A few days ago, our Ecclesiastical Assistant sent us a message about the beauty of the meaning of Lent.  I, for my part, would like us to encourage each other to live this last part of the journey consciously. It often happens that, as Lent progresses, we become discouraged or forget the resolutions we had set ourselves. That is why I think it is important to live this moment in unity, to strengthen our good intentions.

This year, moreover, we are living this stage with the special richness of the Jubilee 2025, under the motto "Pilgrims of Hope". In this context, I would like to share with you a reflection that encourages us to continue walking with fervour and joy towards Easter. As Pope Francis reminds us in his Message for Lent 2025: “Lent is a journey of conversion, marked by three fundamental calls: to journey, to journey together and to journey together in hope”.

To journey: This first call invites us to live this time as pilgrims in search of the Promised Land, leaving behind our comfort zones and facing challenges with trust in the Lord. “Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still, not moving, either immobilized by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone? Am I seeking ways to leave behind the occasions of sin and situations that degrade my dignity? It would be a good Lenten exercise for us to compare our daily life with that of some migrant or foreigner, to learn how to sympathize with their experiences and in this way discover what God is asking of us so that we can better advance on our journey to the house of the Father. This would be a good “examination of conscience” for all of us wayfarers.” (Message of the Holy Father for Lent 2025)

To journey together: This Jubilee year reminds us that we are not alone in this pilgrimage. We are part of a community that walks together, supporting each other and living synodality as a vocation of the Church. “Christians are called to walk at the side of others, and never as lone travellers. The Holy Spirit impels us not to remain self-absorbed, but to leave ourselves behind and keep walking towards God and our brothers and sisters. Journeying together means consolidating the unity grounded in our common dignity as children of God (cf.Gal3:26-28). It means walking side-by-side, without shoving or stepping on others, without envy or hypocrisy, without letting anyone be left behind or excluded. Let us all walk in the same direction, tending towards the same goal, attentive to one another in love and patience.”

“This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs. Let us ask ourselves, in the presence of the Lord, whether, as bishops, priests, consecrated persons and laity in the service of the Kingdom of God, we cooperate with others. Whether we show ourselves welcoming, with concrete gestures, to those both near and far. Whether we make others feel a part of the community or keep them at a distance. This, then, is a second call to conversion: a summons to synodality.”

Therefore, our prayers, sacrifices and acts of charity should not be for our own magnification, but to bring us closer to the Lord and to reflect his love in our lives. May every gesture be a sincere expression of our faith and a bridge to others; may this Lent help us to be more united as WUCWO, to feel intertwined by the concrete and common mission we have, which is to live and transmit the teachings of the Gospel and to work for human development.

To journey together in hope: Sometimes, when we reach the halfway point of the journey, we feel that our strength is waning or that our spiritual practices are losing intensity. However, this is precisely the time to renew our commitment. As the Holy Father tells us, hope must be our horizon during this Lenten season; a hope that does not disappoint because it is anchored in Christ and in his promise of eternal life. We know that Jesus is risen, and so, quoting the pontiff “Death has been transformed into triumph, and the faith and great hope of Christians rests in this: the resurrection of Christ!”

“This, then, is the third call to conversion: a call to hope, to trust in God and his great promise of eternal life. Let us ask ourselves: Am I convinced that the Lord forgives my sins? Or do I act as if I can save myself? Do I long for salvation and call upon God’s help to attain it? Do I concretely experience the hope that enables me to interpret the events of history and inspires in me a commitment to justice, fraternity and care for our common home, acting in such a way that no one feels excluded?”

Therefore, let us be encouraged to intensify our personal and communal prayer, offering small sacrifices generously and practising active charity that transforms lives and hearts. Let us remember that passing through the Holy Doors of the Jubilee symbolises a new beginning.

Let us go forward with joy and hope. May the Lord grant us to live this Lent as a true time of grace and spiritual renewal as we journey together towards the light of the Risen Christ.

May we remain united in the face of this great challenge and happy Easter of Resurrection!

Mónica Santamarina

WUCWO President General