Rome, January 24, 2007
Dear friends,
It seems to me
something very appropriate and quite beautiful that the
Cause of the Beatification of John Paul II be accompanied by
the prayers of cloistered nuns, seeing as he had so desired
their support during his Pontificate as to found a monastery
of cloistered sisters inside the Vatican. Many people write
us with much simplicity and lots of faith, telling us of
their problems, their joys, and their difficulties. This is
a very profound and beautiful reality, a sign of deep trust
to be taken seriously and with responsibility. I try to
remember all of these intentions in my prayers, but I am
convinced that a combined effort would bear even more fruit.
I feel much better
and happier, knowing that I am accompanied in my mission by
the prayers of chosen souls, that is, by cloistered sisters.
This initiative to
open our website up to monasteries, together with the idea
of spiritual support that deeply touched John Paul II, is
also driven by the awareness of being able and even needing
to enter into that virtual reality in which many people
today live and from which stem many dangers.
This, then, is an
attempt to contribute to the work of evangelization and to
the testimony of the presence of God. It is our desire to
create a place where we can meet with many of our brothers
and sisters in need, who are waiting for help in their
search to escape from loneliness.
This is why we
want to offer a space to meet, to listen, to pray, and - why
not? - even a place for pastoral care of vocations, where
the ancient forms of consecrated life can have a opportunity
to present themselves in a more modern forum, without
loosing any of their originality, profundity and mysticism.
To realize these
objectives we are offering the possibility for cloistered
sisters to receive the various prayer intentions. Already, a
community of Carmelite nuns from Biella, Italy, has
volunteered to take part.
The sisters of
this monastery dedicate themselves to praying in a special
way for the intentions of those who, in their necessities,
seek recourse in the intercession of the Servant of God John
Paul II.
The prayer is also
accompanied by a few reflections, written by the sisters,
presenting their spirituality, their way of life, their
work, or their prayer. Who knows, perhaps someone in search
of meaning in their life, encouraged and interested from the
reflections presented, will knock on the “Cyber-door” of the
Monastery?
I would very much
like for this initiative to spread to other monasteries,
even to monasteries in other countries and of different
languages. It would be a beautiful manifestation of the
communion among Catholic and of universal love, for which
the Servant of God John Paul II is remembered, baring
spiritual fruits from the seed of his long and rich
pontificate.
Thanking God for
the many signs of His goodness and generosity, I assure you
of my prayers, and I ask you to remember our work in yours.
May the Lord count it in your favor and bless your work.
In Christ,
Msgr. Sławomir Oder,
Postulator
