Hope for me serves as a vital cornerstone that offers solace and strength in the face of adversity, giving me a sense of purpose and optimism. It helps me to endure trials and tribulations with courage, knowing that God’s love and grace for me will ultimately prevail. Hope is not merely a wishful thinking but a confident anticipation of God’s promises, guiding me towards a life of meaning and transcendence.
Hope inspires me to live a life of faith, compassion and loving service to others. It fosters a deeper connection with the divine and encourages me to cultivate virtues like humility, patience and forgiveness, that helps me to grow closer to God and live a meaningful life. Centering on God in prayer and contemplation, finding Him in the present moment in everything, leaves me rooted in a personal hope that keeps me moving on despite obstacles l may encounter on the way. In the words of Mary Ward our Foundress l can also say for myself- “I will give God what I have, and all that l need l will find in Him, and in humble self-surrender I will wish for what His providence arranged for me”.
For the past 50 years I have been in the Congregation Jesu, I saw and still see myself developing a love relationship with God that is deeply rooted in the hope I have in the risen Christ. I firmly believe that my Creator’s loving presence accompanies me on my life’s journey wherever I may be. The charism of our Congregation, its history and values shape the way I respond to God’s calling to live the Gospel values as a companion of Jesus on the way under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The wisdom and resilience of our pioneer Sisters is the foundation l build upon.
Sr Magna Maminimini, Zimbabwe Region
I can also describe hope as a powerful force, helping me to navigate challenges and envision a brighter future.
Hope means a time of renewal, reflection and grace waiting for something to happen in my journey of faith. In my spiritual journey, l has experienced a profound depth of the meaning of hope. This year is a special year for me because I have got something to tell right now. I would like to share with you concerning hope in my spiritual journey. My first hope comes from Our Congregation from one of our senior sisters. She is ever smiling, hardworking and prayerful. Sometimes I lose hope and become doubtful but when I think or look at the sister, l feels greatly inspired and I came to believe that nothing is impossible with God. What is important is to give myself to God as I am. Secondly the Golden Jubilee of our two sisters, we are preparing to celebrate gives me an idea of the bright future and showing that it is possible to live the religious that far regardless of the challenges from life. They persevered through for the past 50 years.
Evelyn Muse (Zimbabwe Region)
