Dear Father and Mother
I come today in a special way, with a heart full of joy and gratitude, to thank the Lord who has allowed me to know you and who, with the gift of his Holy Spirit, has made you sharers in his saving plan for all humanity.
This grace and love are what have driven you along to cross paths with people of other races, and to walk together with hope, giving the best of your lives. Those feet that the Lord used to cross to my path as well; those words that the Lord used to seduce me are flames to lit and help me walk today with courage and security. Without your openness to the voice of God, I do not know what would become of me. But I understand that it was by his grace that he has arranged it this way.
I dedicate this humble letter in your honor. I tried but failed to do so for each of you, but several times I have failed because the two of you are so closely united. Words are so small and poor that they cannot express what I truly want. I know it’s a surprise because I’m doing it for the first time.
The Church, the Congregation, and the world today still need your presence, even though more than a century has passed since you left us. For me, who tries to walk in your footsteps, I’ve often tried to imitate you, but I find it difficult. What you have achieved and lived demonstrates your capacity to love the Lord, a response to a call to all risks that leaves no room for personal whims. Therefore, my fear today is that, when it passes into my hands, this work might come to an end because of my selfishness, my laziness, my lack of enthusiasm and initiative. I don’t have a big dream, but the desire to be a good sister and missionary is all I strive for.
Your dream and enthusiasm were so great that you strove to make it a reality that it still continue to this day. The Congregation continues to expand and has even reached the Democratic Republic of the Congo (my country) and other countries. That, you would better tell Candida, Olimpia, Buen Consejo, Justa, Esther, Ana Maria, Leonie, and other sisters who made the mission there possible.
Today, together with all those who loved and offered their entire lives, we continue to love you for having loved us, agreeing to collaborate in God’s plan. There are many things to tell you, above all, what is happening to us and in our world as well as in the Church today. Above all, how the Congregation is constantly seeking ways to adapt to all these changes without losing touch of your vision and intuition. I am very happy, Father, and proud to feel like a member of the Congregation and being part of the intercontinental juniorate that began with the last General Chapter.
Mother, how you would love to see how we are sharing indescribable joy in the community and with the people of Valencia, despite our diversity! Imagine that we are together in one community, sisters of eight nationalities. What richness it is! This shows that your efforts were not in vain. Therefore, from the Lord’s side, I ask you to forgive us, to have mercy on me for all the times I resist giving my all. Finally, we love you so much.
A big, fraternal hug to all the MDRs who have joined you.
With much love,
Your daughter, Jemi Apar