This month we want to start our preparation for the General Assembly to be held next October.

WUCWO women are eager to move towards Dakar to celebrate our General Assembly together. “WUCWO women: carriers of ‘living water’”.

Water always accompanies the miracles made by Jesus at the presence of Mary, his mother. Mary, who accompanies every path starting from the one to Elizabeth and ending in Jerusalem to follow Jesus, is our best example as carrier of living water.

Water is an essential element for life and we need it daily. The “living water” too is necessary every day in our personal and communitarian life. To be carriers of living water for us is the logical consequence after our meeting with Jesus and the family from Nazareth, where Jesus experienced the human family, human love and work. For a Christian lay person nothing is more normal than family and work. And it is in such places that we are called to holiness - as Lumen Gentium states. The family is the first place where we experience love. Work unfortunately reminds us exploitation, conflict, distress instead of love. “The word ‘love’, however, is commonly used and often misused” (AL 89). In order to avoid such misunderstanding, with Amoris Laetitia Pope Francis indicates some characteristics of love that can be applied to every condition of life.

The first listed is patience, which does not mean resignation but capability to control one’s wrath. Considering conflicts, wars, contrasts, disorder all over this world, it is essential to reflect and put in action patience to contribute to bring “living water” to this world which thirsts for peace.

Let’s ask Blessed Francisca Cualladó Baixauli, virgin and martyr, to exercise and improve our capability to be patient.

Testimony: Francisca Cualladó Baixauli, Blessed

Virgin and Martyr, September 19

Roman Martyrology: In Benifaió, in the province of Valencia, Spain, Blessed Francisca Cualladó Baixauli, virgin and martyr, shed her blood for her faith in Christ in religious persecution. († 1936).

Short Biography: She was born on 3 December 1890 in the Mill of San Isidro, in the Valencian district of Ruzafa. Her life was spent in Massanassa (a municipality of the Valencian Community), being educated Christian and working since her adolescence as a dressmaker to contribute to her family’s finances, which were very deteriorated due to the premature death of her father and the illness of her mother, who was paralysed.

Her many hours of work did not, however, take away from her the will to do much apostolate, all that was possible for her as a Christian militant. She founded the Eucharistic Thursdays in her parish and she also collaborated in the foundation of the Sindicato de la Aguja.

She taught dressmaking and tailoring classes and did as much good as she could to the apprentices. With great zeal, she prepared the sick to receive the sacraments. It is these qualities and these works that caused her to be hated by the enemies of religion.

On September 19,1936, she was shot in Benifaió, but not before having her tongue pulled out so that she would not continue to praise Christ the King.

Further readings for reflection

Woman from Mark’s Gospel (Mk 5:25-34)

Lumen Gentium chapter 5 (39 – 42)

Amoris Laetitia 89 – 92

Evangelii Gaudium 24

Gravissimum Educationis 1 – 4

Dignitatis Humanae 14

Compendium of the Catholic Church Catechism 854, 1832, 2447.

Psalm 40 

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.

10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.

14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.

17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. 

We remind you that it is not necessary to read and discuss all the Magisterium suggested, it can be used according to one’s need and planning.