LETTER TO THE MISSIONARY SERVANTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

VATICAN CITY, JUN 26, 2002 (VIS) - John Paul II wrote a letter to the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit who are celebrating their General Chapter in Rome in order "to examine the practical circumstances of the call to mission," writes the Holy Father, and "to present to the whole Congregation a set of proposals and a leadership team for the coming years." The letter is written in English and dated June 26.

"The Chapter has set itself a lofty and demanding task: to rekindle the fire of 'missionary zeal' in your communities. Be assured that the heart of Peter's Successor is filled with the same hope." He reminds them that in the apostolic letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte" he wrote that the "Church cannot forgo her missionary activity among the peoples of the world. It is the primary task of the "missio ad gentes" to announce that it is in Christ, 'the Way, and the Truth, and the Life', that the people find salvation. You, dear Sisters, understand the significance of these words, and therefore the grace and responsibility that is yours in the Church."

John Paul II also speaks about the "spirit and teachings" of the founders of the order, Blesseds Arnold Janssen and Maria Helena Stollenwerk, and the Servant of God Josepha Hendrina Stenmanns, who surely would inspire the religious during the chapter. "As a providential heritage they left you the call to serve in frontier situations, where people have less chances in life and where no others take care of them."

"The call to heroic love is the very heart of your vocation, the call to be the last and to sacrifice oneself for the work of evangelization, of which Mother Josepha wrote. As long as the Congregation desires to live by that kind of love, it will grow and flourish, even when you seem to be surrounded by difficulties and indifference."

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