Foreword

In the introduction to his new book “Hope is the Light in the Night”, Pope Francis wrote: 

Some time ago I had the opportunity to dialogue with two exceptional witnesses of hope, two fathers: one Israeli, Rami; one Palestinian, Bassam. Both lost daughters in the conflict that has bloodied the Holy Land for too many decades now. But nonetheless, in the name of their pain, the suffering they felt at the death of their two little daughters – Smadar and Abir – they have become friends, indeed brothers: they live for forgiveness and reconciliation as a concrete, prophetic and authentic gesture. Meeting them gave me so much, so much hope. Their friendship and brotherhood taught me it is possible that hatred, concretely, may not have the last word. The reconciliation they experience as individuals, a prophecy of a larger and broader reconciliation, is an invincible sign of hope. And hope opens us to unimaginable horizons.

At a time when the world is suffering from war, injustice, pandemic, etc. it is quite easy to give up and to resort to violence. Like Rami and Bassam, we can make a difference in the world.

As our Advent preparations get more intense, we invite you to join us in The Nine Gifts to reflect on God’s Word and to rediscover and be open to the gifts of hope and peace that He offers us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Doing so, we can become authentic pilgrims of hope and builders of peace.

May Mary, Star of the Sea, accompany us in our spiritual journey.

Fraternally,

Pietro S. Albano

Member

Editorial Board