By our own correspondent

       EAO 31 December 2022 -- Last day of 2022 and New Year 2023 are special days: We give thanks with a 'Te Deum' and other special prayers and at the same time we look forward with faith and a loving heart, but especially with HOPE. Amidst the almost 50 ongoing wars around the globe come the ever stronger peace appeals of Pope Francis, and Strenna 2023.

       'No one can be saved alone' - the quite inspiring 56th World Day of Peace Message of Pope Francis, who invites everyone to 'embark together on paths of peace'. Francis answers his question: 'What then is being asked of us?' (Message, point 5) - 'In order to live better lives, we can't ignore one fundamental fact, namely that the many moral, social, political and economic crisis we are experiencing are all interconnected. What we see as isolated problems are actually causes and effects of one another. Consequently we are called to confront the challenges of our world in a spirit of responsibility and compassion....'

       Also the 2023 commentary on the Rector Major's Strenna 'As the Yeast in the human family' released a few days ago is a magnificent inspiration. The 'Yeast' mentality may help us to grow in the spirit of 'caring about our common home' full of wars, hunger, injustice, inequality, poverty and death. This precious message is already in our hands and will be a source of common reflection during the 41st Salesian Family Spirituality Days (January 12-15).

       Each year has just 365 (or 366) days of precious time given to us. The Salesian liturgical calendar for 2023 is also in our hands to enlighten our faith and vocation journey in this new year with memorials of Salesian Family Saints and Blesseds.

       Let's entrust the new year 2023 to Mary, together with with Pope Francis: "May Mary Immaculate, Mother of Jesus and Queen of Peace, intercede for us and for the whole world!"

• Full text of World Peace Day Message of Pope Francis
• Full text of the Strenna 2023 Commentary
• Salesian Liturgical Calendar 2023

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