Dear Sisters!
We unite in praise and gratitude for the love of God, who has allowed us to grow with faithfulness and tenderness and sustains our congregation. We are convinced that He continues to count on our participation in His work in this world.
Therefore, we wish you a joyful celebration of the 183rd anniversary of the founding of our congregation!
For us "Pilgrims of Hope," this year's feast is an opportunity to recognize the important and precious presence of Our Lady in the history of our congregation and in the life of Eduard Michelis, who had a deep love for Mary.
Mary is the "Pilgrim of Hope." She modeled for us how to fulfill the Father's will by following Jesus Christ with obedience, love, and deep devotion. Mary is not only the Mother of Jesus, but also the Mother of the Church and all peoples. We, of all people, live in a world marked by suffering and death due to wars, natural disasters, etc. Mary gives hope to the weary and hopeless people who have lost the meaning of life. Her presence gives us the strength to continue in faith and to work for justice and peace.
Eduard Michelis regularly made pilgrimages to the Chapel of Grace in Telgte. He knelt silently before Mary and confided everything to her: his calling to the priesthood, the burden of his ministry, the wounds of the Church, the hopes of the world, the state of society, and his young congregation.
For him, Telgte was not only a place of pilgrimage, but also a place of spiritual encounter. He conversed with Mary, who embraced the wounded Jesus and, with gentleness and compassion, embraced the world, the Church, and the congregation, interceding for the weak and wounded.
Amid the challenges of our time, Pope Francis (in memoriam) gave us an example of faith and love for Mary. His visits to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore testified to his trust in the maternal love of God. He also saw it as an example of fidelity and courage—two attitudes of great importance to the Catholic Church. As the Catholic Church is rocked by the crisis and the world becomes increasingly divided, he invited us to return to the fundamental attitudes: listening, being present, and trusting - three things he learned from Mary. He did not linger at her feet to escape the world, but to draw new strength and be able to return to service.
Mary, too, calls us to courage. In the midst of turmoil, we must remain silent, for silence and gentleness are not weakness, but spiritual strength. Let us make Mary our companion on our pilgrimage of hope! We believe that love and hope never die. Let us dare to kneel and trust, entrusting our entire lives and our mission to Mary's protection!
Dear sisters, let us celebrate this feast with joy and gratitude!
(General Coordination)