March 8th is celebrated as International Women’s Day, a time to appreciate the contributions and achievements of women across various fields globally. In addition, the Universal Church is celebrating the Jubilee Year 2025 with the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, inviting us to reflect on the journey of faith, hope, and love that has brought us to this moment.
Women’s Day encourages us to look back at the history of our PBN family, where our Early Mothers endured struggles and hardships with unwavering faith and hope, living for God Alone and keeping our Charism alive in their time. The Blessing of the Miraculous Benediction renewed the strength and energy of our Sisters, serving as a sign of hope to continue their mission of communion, no matter the circumstances. United with the Lord, our Early Mothers stepped into a society marked by hatred, anger, disunity, and social injustice. Yet, they became bearers of communion, bringing light to the darkness of social challenges.
Their very presence transformed lives. They were mothers to orphans, friends to the lonely, healing hands for the sick and abandoned, and loving guides for the young. Above all, they were a beacon of hope for the downhearted. What gave them such enthusiasm and zeal? It was the gift of Charism, filling their hearts and souls with love, which in turn spread the fragrance of newness through our mission everywhere. They put faith into action and love into service, beginning a journey of transformation by anchoring their hope in the midst of life’s storms.
Now, two hundred years later, our “Call to Action” in this Jubilee Year invites us to renew our hope and rekindle the flame of faith in the face of modern challenges. Let us deepen our faith by drawing strength from our roots - the Early Mothers who were rooted in prayer and contemplation - so that we may give glory to God Alone. Let us share love, extend kindness, and transform the lives of women today who face numerous responsibilities and struggles, including: balancing career and family, the gender pay gap, workplace harassment, access to education, mental health stigmas, domestic violence, cultural expectations, political participation, cyber harassment and other emerging challenges.
As children of PBN, we are called once again to challenge society and be bearers of hope for the women of today, just as our Early Mothers did.
May we continue to walk as Pilgrims of Hope, guided by faith, hope, and love. Pope Francis calls us, as a global community, to embrace a spirit of pilgrimage throughout this Jubilee Year – to journey “with an open spirit, a trusting heart, and a far-sighted mission.” This pilgrimage calls us to pray, to carry out works of justice and charity, to stand with those in need, to care for creation, and to grow together as a human family. Let us journey forward in hope.
Sr. Tahira Sarwar
Pakistan