A Message from the President

“Acts of Mercy: Bringing Hope to Those in Need”

Dear Friends in Christ,

In his papal bull announcing the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis wrote, “During the Holy Year, we are called to be tangible signs of hope for those of our brothers and sisters who experience hardships of any kind.” It is indeed a great theme of biblical jubilee to show preferential kindness to those in need, especially the poor, the vulnerable, and those in bondage. Jubilee is a time when God’s mercy is made manifest through the work of our own hands, when the Lord sends His people as “missionaries of mercy” to those most in need.

Pope Francis’s Jubilee Year message echoes Constitution 2 on Mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross that teaches, “Christ was anointed to bring good news to the poor, release for prisoners, sight for the blind, restoration for every broken victim. Our efforts, which are his, reach out to the afflicted and in a preferential way to the poor and the oppressed. We come not just as servants but as their neighbors, to be with them and of them” (#2:13). As a ministry of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the Jubilee Year speaks a lot to what we care about.

As we continue this great celebration of the Jubilee, let us remember God’s call to embody His mercy to one another. As the Lord’s mercy is demonstrated to us in real, concrete ways, so too must our own mercy be lived, expressed in tangible acts of grace and goodwill toward the poor, toward our neighbors, and especially toward the members of our families.

In this edition of the World at Prayer Newsletter, we see that mercy lies at the heart of the Jubilee. I pray that these stories of mercy will inspire you to become “missionaries of mercy” yourselves, embodying God’s grace in your communities, and in a special way, in your families.

In Christ,

Rev. Fred Jenga, C.S.C.

A Message from the International Director 

Dear Friends in Mission,

As we continue our journey together in faith, we are reminded that no matter the season, God’s love remains constant, and His mercy is unending. In the face of challenges and uncertainty, His hope sustains us and lights our path.

We are deeply grateful for your unwavering support, prayer, and collaboration. Your dedication makes it possible for us to carry out our mission in service to families around the world. Each act of generosity, each moment of prayer, and each shared commitment reflects the profound love of Christ at work among us.

May this Jubilee Year renew your heart with the peace that only God can give. May His mercy comfort you, and His hope fill you with courage for each new day. Let us continue to trust in His plan and walk together in faith.

Thank you for being a vital part of our Holy Cross Family Ministries mission. We keep you and your loved ones in our prayers.

With gratitude and prayers,

Fr. Pinto Paul, C.S.C.

Holy Cross Family Ministry International Team Updates

New HCFM Center Opens in Burkina Faso. 

In April, Holy Cross Family Ministries opened a new center in Burkina Faso, located in the western region of Africa and just right above Ghana.  We are pleased to welcome two new team members: Sister Rama Nadine Ouedraogo and Sister Marie Madeleine Ouedraogo. Although they share the same last name, Sister Rama and Sister Marie are not biologically related — they are sisters in Christ, united in mission and spirit. We are grateful for their commitment and look forward to the impact they will bring to families in the region through prayer and ministry.

Let us warmly welcome them into the HCFM family!

Let us give thanks for the life and faithful service of Pope Francis, and continue to pray for the repose of his soul. 

The following quotes from Pope Francis, paired with corresponding Scripture passages, were compiled by Fr. Leo Anthony D'Souza, C.S.C., and designed by Fr. Joel Mendonca, C.S.C. They were thoughtfully gathered, curated, and shared from our South India Ministry Center. 

Message from the Vice Postulator and Guild Director for Venerable Patrick Peyton’s Cause for Sainthood 

A Jubilee Year of Hope: Trusting in the Power of Prayer 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

In this Jubilee Year of Hope, we are reminded as people of faith in God’s providence and compassion to be hope-filled. Life is not always easy or even fair. Well-intentioned people can face obstacles to moving forward with their lives, even when they have turned their lives over to God and done the hard work of growing in virtue and holiness.

Read More