Letter from the Prelate (25 November 2021)

The Prelate of Opus Dei invites us to foster our hope when confronting the reality of death, trusting in God's love and having recourse to our Lady.

My dear children, may Jesus watch over my daughters and sons for me!

During these weeks of November we are praying especially for all the deceased. Our remembrance goes particularly to the many faithful of the Work who have left this world, the deceased members of our families, and all the people we have known while they were alive.

Nevertheless, we know that death does not have the final word. What a marvelous hope our faith awakens in us! Hope in the glory of heaven is a “hope that does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5). It is “a gift of God that draws us towards life, towards eternal joy. Hope is an anchor we have to the other side” (Pope Francis, 2 November 2020).

But faced with the reality of death, it is understandable that anxiety or discouragement can sometimes find their way into our soul. At such times, let us try to react promptly and turn to our Lady, Mother of Hope and Cause of our Joy. Then, with the joyful hope we have received from God, we will have renewed inner strength for serving others.

Let us thank our Lord for the recent ordination of twenty-four new deacons of the Prelature. Keep praying for them, and for all those in the Church who are preparing for the priesthood.

Your Father blesses you with all his affection,

Rome, 25 November 2021