In calling the entire Church to enter into the Holy Year of Hope, Pope Francis invites every person to experience the hope that springs from God’s grace—a hope that surpasses all understanding—and to “discover it in the signs of the times that the Lord offers”.
This invitation deeply resonates with the mission of Consecrated Religious Life: to be a visible sign of hope for the world. It is precisely in a world marked by challenges and uncertainty that we, as consecrated sisters, are called to be beacons of hope, pointing toward a future grounded in peace, justice, and love.
Peace, in the vision of Pope Francis, emerges as the first and brightest sign of hope for humanity. In response to this call, we are led to a profound examination of conscience: to what extent do our daily actions within our communities reflect the peace we long for? Religious life, in its essence, is a continual invitation to witness to this peace—a peace born of divine love, which permeates our being and radiates through every gesture.
To live our lives rooted in Jesus Christ—our one true centre—and to place before Him all the challenges and uncertainties of our reality is to live, as Marie Eugénie said, “confident and grounded only in God.” It is only when anchored in Jesus that we can truly “see the world as a place to give glory to God” and become instruments of lasting peace.
Hope is a theological virtue—a gift from God. It does not stand alone; it is intimately linked with faith and charity, which are also bestowed upon us through grace. Because hope is divine in origin, it must be nurtured by a continual intimacy with God in order to remain alive and radiant within us.
Religious life, as part of a society that lives ‘without time,’ needs to be vigilant so as not to fall into the temptation of activism. When engaged in numerous activities - serving the poor, managing social works, evangelising - there is a real risk of placing trust in our own efforts and losing sight of the transcendent dimension that is sustained through personal and communal prayer. It is through this prayer that we bring to God the cries and concerns of a world wounded by injustice. In worship, we are renewed in our hope in Jesus—the One who conquered death and revealed to us the light of a new day.
Marie Eugénie reminds us that “Hope unites eternity with time.” We believe this because our hope is rooted in the Resurrection of Jesus. From this foundational event, we are drawn into God’s deepest desire: fullness of life for all His children. In Him, we find the meaning of our existence and the courage to face the future with faith. Only in Jesus do we find the solid foundation for our hope—that we, too, are called to rise to new life in its fullness.
Hope propels us into the future, expanding our vision beyond what we can see and understand. It calls us into active waiting - entrusting to God all that lies beyond the reach of reason, yet is deeply felt in the heart. Marie Eugénie beautifully expresses this trust when she says: “To wait is to put your hand in God’s hand, your heart in His heart, and walk.”
Moving forward with faith and believing in life is essential for us, the sisters who have dedicated their lives out of love for Jesus and the Kingdom. It is in hope that we find the strength and perseverance to continue striving for a better world and working for the coming of God’s Kingdom. Our society thirsts for the values of the Gospel, and we, the Religious of the Assumption, are called to educate and form others based on these very values. May our mission shine as a beacon of hope within the realities we live and serve.
To be “pilgrims of hope” is to journey through life with the unshakable certainty of God’s love—a love that never abandons us, that accompanies us on every road, and that calls us to live in the fullness of divine charity. Part of our mission is to share this certainty with others, to spread the contagious joy of knowing we are deeply loved by God.
In a world burdened by challenges and uncertainties, hope emerges as a guiding light, leading us through the storms of life. Pope Francis’ call for the Holy Year of Hope deeply resonates with the mission of Consecrated Religious Life: to be living witnesses of divine hope in the midst of darkness.
Peace, as the first and clearest sign of hope, demands an active commitment - both in our daily relationships and in our service to the world. It is through prayer that we are renewed, drawing from God’s grace the strength to keep the flame of hope alive within us.
As we embrace our vocation, we are invited to be living flames of hope, radiating the light of Christ through our words, actions, and presence. May we, inspired by faith and animated by love, help transform the world—building a future rooted in peace, justice, and love.
SISTER Andreia Marques Barbosa
South Atlantic Province
Communications representative and Pastoral representative in the Province’s schools
Original Brazilian
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