“Subjected to every kind of hardship but never distressed” (2 Cor 4:8)
The serious situation that the covid-19 has triggered starting from the eastern parts of the world, is progressively and inexorably reaching all the countries of the planet.
Italy is among the countries, after China, with the highest number of infections and deaths.
A few weeks ago, the Italian government imposed very restrictive rules of conduct leading to the closure of schools, universities and meeting spaces. For a few days, Italy has been a "red zone", which means absolute ban on aggregation throughout Italy.
The Italian Church, although with suffering, has accepted to enforce these measures,. All celebrations in the Churches have been cancelled: first in the churches in the northern Italy and then throughout the whole peninsula.
Even Pope Francis has ordered that the Basilica of St Peter and the square in front of it be closed to avoid any form of gathering and, therefore, the transmission of the virus.
The life of the General Council had to adjust to the situation by changing habits and schedule: Fr Gustavo Agín scj, Superior General, had to suspend the canonical visit of the Vicariate of Italy and other journeys of the Councillors have been postponed.
Our collaborators in the Generalate have accepted to work from home (Smart working). At least, this solution is allowing the Council to continue its activity.
This is what Cardinal Angelo de Donatis, Vicar of the Pope for the Diocese of Rome, has said to his preists: “What is the Lord telling us? What is his will, the one we are bound to obey? To do our best and give our contribution to everyone's health. Clinging to each other not physically, but with mutual solidarity, so that the elderly and the sick, who at this moment are the "little ones" that Jesus puts at the center, can perceive that there is a whole society, including the Church, that does not give up on them …”.
Pope Francis invites us to invoke Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church, with these words:
“O Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and hope. We entrust ourselves to you, health of the sick, who at the cross have been associated with the pain of Jesus, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the people, know what we need and we are certain that you, as in Cana of Galilee, will see that joy and celebration will return after this moment of trial..."
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