Warsaw, Christmas 2018

 

Dear friends,

I send you a cordial greeting from Warsaw, where I am preparing to celebrate my third Christmas in this country, which is so rich in Catholic traditions.

Three events marked the agenda for this past year. First, my unforgettable visit to Rwanda, and especially to the youth at Mbare, in Juty, fourteen years after I left that Pontifical Representation as a young Apostolic Nuncio to the "Land of a Thousand Hills,“ left me with fond memories. You can imagine my joy and that of the boys, of the religious men and women, of the bishops and priests and of those who still remembered me. I spent some days in the village with the boys and girls singing and playing, leaving me very touched by their innocence, sincerity and joy. They huddled around me, and I felt the like a parent who had lost a child, who had later come home. Only this time, it was I who went home. It was very moving. The three volunteers of NOLITE TIMERE onlus (which I founded when I was Nuncio, there, to support the children of the Center) took lots of photos which you can see on the calendar 2019 of the Association.

 

The second event that profoundly marked this year, that is about to end, was the celebration on October 16th of the 40th anniversary of the election to the Pontificate of St. Pope John Paul II, venerated all over the world but, as you can imagine, most especially in Poland. There were numerous celebrations to commemorate the great Pope of this land. In memory of the event, I placed in the front garden of the Nunciature a beautiful bronze statue of this holy saint and pope. The statue serves as a gesture of greeting, blessing and welcoming those who visit our Pontifical Mission.

 

The third event that I recently experienced was the private audience with Pope Francis, on November Sth. As usual, it was a very friendly and nice atmosphere. The Pope never ceases to amaze me with his zeal for the Gospel and his kind disposition towards others, especially those who represent him abroad.

 

On January 6, 2019, the solemnity of the Epiphany, shall recall and shall celebrate with great joy the 20th anniversary of my episcopal ordination which I received from the hands of St. Pope John Paul II in the Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican. Many years have passed, but I have loved all of them and learned from all of you how to serve as the Master did when He washed the feet of His disciples. Thank you and God bless you!

 

I ask you for a prayer for my ministry, while I joyfully convey to you my most heartfelt wishes for a holy Christmas and a New Year of Peace and Prosperity.

 

 

 

+Salvatore Pennacchio