17th day

«I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet slowly but surely we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress: My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is…»

-Pope Francis, The Joy of the Gospel

Comment from our readers…

Overcoming extreme sadness often seems well beyond our means. I was once in such a situation, unable to deal with the sadness accompanying the death of both my parents, when I was just 5 years old. A child is helpless when faced with the great tribulations of life. Everyday, from childhood to adolescence, I experienced the pain of being without family, committed to life with strangers. It was an ever present, indescribable sadness, even when I would put up a smiling face. Then, on one Easter vigil, the night when we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ, this sadness disappeared and was replaced by a new joy. In the days that followed, I noticed, to my amazement, that my tragic past no longer resurfaced as endlessly as before. "We all have to let the joy of faith slowly awake". Pope Francis invites us to keep the door of faith open, even during our most difficult times, until these moments of Resurrection arrive, when Life triumphs.
-Marie-Monique