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

Let us continue to pray earnestly for the Pope’s complete recovery, united with the entire Church, which has its visible principle of unity in the Roman Pontiff.

As you know, at the end of March I had the joy of taking part in the celebration, in Zaragoza, of the centenary of Saint Josemaría’s priestly ordination. It was a special opportunity to give thanks to God, to rekindle our devotion – filled with gratitude and affection – to our Father, with the joy of seeing many people, especially my daughters and sons.

Holy Week is now almost here: days in which the Church’s liturgy (especially during the Easter Triduum) urges us to foster greater union with Christ. A union of faith, hope and love. Let us never tire of considering the reality that “before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (Jn 13:1). And his love spans the centuries, becoming present in our lives today and now. As every year, a great variety of apostolic activities will take place during these dates; among these, UNIV in Rome. We should accompany them with our prayer.

The Ordinary General Congress of the Work is also very close. It will last several days, divided into two parts (one for each section) between the 23rd of this month and May 5th. As is foreseen, appointments will be made to the General Council and the Central Advisory, and ways to spur forward the apostolic work will be studied, also in light of the conclusions of the recent Regional Assemblies. This Congress will also consider the proposal – definitive on our part – of the text of the Statutes, to be submitted for the Holy See’s approval. All of you should take part with your prayers.

Your Father blesses you with all his affection.

Rome, April 8, 2025