International Women’s Day is coming to an end. All over the world, people have been highlighting the valuable contribution of women in society and the struggles still to be fought for the full recognition of their dignity. And rightly so… because it is not because it is 2023 that it is a foregone conclusion.

On Sunday, October 23rd 2022, the Church will celebrate World Mission Sunday. Each year, this day is offered to us so that all believers can renew their missionary impulse. “You will be my witnesses” is the theme proposed for this year.

“People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are long forgotten.” With these words, Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, addressed those present at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19th.

Ten days ago, I had one of the most beautiful experiences of my life ! From July 24 to 29, I had the privilege of being the Holy Father’s translator during his apostolic visit to Canada. For 6 days, I was the voice of Pope Francis !

My heart is saddened since yesterday afternoon, when I learned – once again – of a gun massacre in the United States. This time, the death toll is 19 children in an elementary school, 2 teachers and the perpetrator of this massacre. We are talking about children, for God’s sake, who were probably already thinking about the school vacations scheduled in two days!

In a few days, it will be Mother’s Day. Of course, I consider myself blessed to still have mine who, despite her advancing age, continues to be this complete woman. Her health may not be the same as it was 40 or 50 years ago, but her fortitude and desire to continue to pass on her values of love and faith still impress me.

For Earth Day, which is celebrated annually on April 22, here are some statistics gleaned from the internet:
– From 15 to 37% of the biodiversity would disappear by 2050.
– Each year between 13 and 15 million hectares of forests disappear.
– According to the WWF, a fruit imported out of season by plane consumes 10 to 20 times more oil than the same fruit bought locally and in season.
– The sun provides the earth with 15,000 times more energy than man consumes. But solar and renewable energies represent only 0.4% of the world energy production.

Here we are in the middle of our journey towards Easter, towards new life! Do we really believe in it? Even if the sun tries to pierce the clouds, they close in and become more and more threatening. The words of 2000 years ago sound like déjà vu. “It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun’s light failed” (Luke 23:44-45).