As the feast of Pentecost approached, Father Barré ended his earthly life in great physical pain, without any certainty as to the future of Charitable Schools. And he expressed a wish for our newly emerging Institute: that it be animated, taught, led by the Holy Spirit.
“Tell them that their Institute
is a small body in the Church, may the Holy Spirit be its source of life!
It is a school, may the Holy Spirit be its teacher! It is like a small army, may the Holy Spirit lead it in battle against its enemies!”
In today's confusing circumstances, what kinds of persons are we invited to be in response to his prayer ?
Animated by the Holy Spirit, Spirit of love and strength of God who brings to life.
Taught by the Holy Spirit, teaching to welcome the presence of the Risen Christ and live a little more, a little better, according to the Gospel.
Led by the Holy Spirit: courageous, humble and daring apostles, able to let go of fears, anxieties, doubts, so as to be confident witnesses to the Good News of the Gospel, reaching out to people who are so often excluded, marginalized, unappreciated…
Everywhere, during these painful times, many people have struggled to reject whatever harms their lives and the lives of others. They have tried to strengthen the bonds that give them life and give life to others. Then, even in the midst of suffering and worry, we will be able with all of them, to overcome the sadness and discouragement that may lie before us, because "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, fidelity, gentleness and self-control." (Gal. 5,22-23)