One hundred years ago, the first Guanellians arrived in Latin America to begin their mission of charity. They were blessed by Divine Providence, which inspired many works throughout the continent. Now, Don Guanella's disciples continue on the path he indicated.
of Father Umberto Brugnoni, Superior General of the Servants of Charity
Cdear readers of To serveMay greetings reach you all from Buenos Aires, where I am celebrating with the Guanellian brothers, the nuns, and numerous lay people the centenary of the presence of the Opera Don Guanella in Latin America.
On November 15, one hundred years ago, the first three Italian Guanellians disembarked, sent to pitch a tent of charity in this blessed land. Today, we are present in seven nations with over one hundred and ten confreres in forty religious communities. It was a project of promoting the poor, which has expanded thanks to the assistance of the Holy Spirit and the dedication of so many Guanellians who have traveled this land. Many are already in Heaven, heirs to the glory of the Father, because they loved him and served him in the poor. Among the confreres present in Latin America, some are originally from other nations, but many are indigenous, and this confirms how deeply the South American peoples have been drawn into our charism.
Let us thank God and enter with determination into the second centenary, because sitting quietly and content with what has been accomplished is not the way of those who love in the charity of Christ. In fact, in the days immediately following the centenary celebration, the Provincial Council, which coordinates the Latin American communities, together with the superiors of the Houses, held a week of meetings, looking to the future and asking how to better practice "personal charity," as the founder, Father Guanella, put it.
Enthusiasm and a confident, resolute outlook on the future, sustained by hope, are what is proposed to all Christians in the mystery of the Lord's Birth, which we will soon celebrate. Advent teaches us not to fear God, but to place our hope in him. We are invited to welcome the event of the Lord's birth as a promise of life, development, peace, and communion among peoples. However, all this will be achieved on one condition: that we desire it! We must be capable of removing from our personal lives everything that hinders or slows down the gift that Christ comes to bring to earth.
This Christmas season will also mark the end of the Holy Year, a time that God the Father has mercifully granted us to cast away all that is not positive and instead to put on the "garment of the feast," that is, of full and perfect communion with Him.
Courage, then: let us set out! This is the wish that emerged during the centenary celebrations in Latin America. Courage and move forward! It is the wish I also feel like extending to you, dear readers of Servire. Nothing is definitively lost; everything can be rebuilt, confident that, through the presence of Christ beside us, whatever we rebuild will have eternal roots. May the faith linked to the birth of Christ inspire us. I make my own and pass on to you the wish of Don Guanella, transcribed in our Rule of Life: "We are sent to evangelize the poor, revealing to them the love of God the Father and inspiring in them reasons for hope."
If any of you can help a poor person you meet this Christmas, please do so with the knowledge that you are helping the Lord. If you live near a lonely elderly person, invite them to lunch with you. It costs nothing to prepare an extra portion, but, as Don Guanella reminds us, "What you will bring to the table with you is Jesus Christ." Thank you for your thoughtfulness and your support of Opera Don Guanella. Merry Christmas to you and your families!