With this greeting Pope Leo XIV welcomed the waiting people on St. Peter’s Square when he took office as Christ’s successor in the Petrine ministry. I sat in front of the television so as not to miss the newly elected Pope, eager to hear what first words he would address to all of us, to the whole world.
Finally, the moment had come. Leo XIV stepped to the balustrade of the balcony and greeted the waiting people with the words: “Peace be with you…”
Does not the ancient Roman greeting “Pax” resonate here, which proclaimed the long peace of the Roman Empire? Or the well-known church call in worship? “PAX” – has this greeting in the sense of peace not become a worldwide guiding word, not only through the Romance languages to European languages?
Strange, I thought, as I prepared for August first, the feast day of our co-foundress Fanny de la Roche: “May the angel of peace and love always be at your side.”
Moments of Inner Peace
Who does not know them, the small moments of inner peace from their own life? Moments in which we feel comfortable and accepted. Moments in which our heart is calm, in harmony with itself, full of confidence and hope, in mutual giving and receiving.
The meditative texts we heard, in which Fanny de la Roche wrote to her beloved mother, were such moments during our provincial assembly. Likewise the lit candles, representing the sisters nationally and internationally, in every light that is kindled.
Our Mission
So we too are called, following the example of Fanny de la Roche, to live peace in giving and receiving, with courage, strength, energy, self-confidence and self-assurance.
