On July 9, the two communities of SSCC brothers and sisters in Rome gathered at the General House of the Brothers to celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Peace. The Eucharist was presided over by Jean Blaise Mwanda sscc, who placed the global situation in context through the lens of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, inviting us to intercede for peace, following the example of Mary:
“These are turbulent times: xenophobia, intolerance, indifference, violence, war... The prevailing adage is: ‘If you want peace, prepare for war.’ Conflicts drag on, with an apparent calm. Some wars have lasted for decades (more than 30 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo); peace is often negotiated in exchange for economic interests. We are witnessing the systematic destruction of our common home.
The Church does not remain indifferent to these situations. Pope Francis publicly denounced this in the Democratic Republic of Congo: ‘Take your hands off Congo!’, addressing multinational companies. One of the first words of Pope Leo was: ‘Peace be with you all.’ And he added: ‘A peace that is unarmed and disarming.’ It is not always about being ready to attack or defend, but about working for peace and becoming artisans of peace. We must seek peace: in our hearts, in our communities… In our situation here in Rome, by participating in meetings on justice and peace, solidarity with South Sudan, etc. We are also called to be intercessors for peace (the mystical dimension through prayer). Mary is closely linked to our mission (to imitate the hearts of Jesus and Mary).”
After the Eucharist, brothers and sisters shared a meal together. In addition to the liturgical feast, they also celebrated the birthday of Poldo Antolín sscc and his farewell from Rome, as he will soon return to Spain, carrying with him some symbolic gifts from his time in the Via Rivarone community.
07/10/2025