(Luke 2,10)

We would like to speak during these days of celebration only to “announce good news”… May our lives be announcements of joy; may they be the Gospel lived and witnessed.

The year 2025 has brought its share of painful news, with the endless war on the land where Jesus was born, instability in Syria, difficulties in our communities, and health problems. However, God, faithful to his covenant, transforms everything into Hope.

We are touched by countless signs of hope; some of them are like a gentle breeze that refreshes our daily lives. Others are more intense… We share with you some of these signs of hope that help us to shine the light of Christ’s presence in the world, especially in the regions where we live.

• • The grace of the Jubilee Year that we experienced together when we crossed the Holy Door as a federation, led by our Father General, Miguel Marquez.
  • The blessing of Pope Leo XIV that we received after his words of encouragement for our mission of prayer in the Middle East, North Africa… and Greece!
  • Indeed, our sisters from the Carmelite convent in Athens are now part of the federation, and we rejoice in their hopeful contribution.
  • Another sign of hope is the path we are taking to ensure the future of the Carmelite convent in Fayoum, following the guidelines of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and in dialogue with our Father General and other federations, such as those in Brazil.
  • The visit to Vietnam at the end of November by our federal president with two of the federal councilors. They received a warm and fraternal welcome. In the five communities they visited, the sisters showed great joy and interest in the realities of our federation. We believe that these bonds of mutual knowledge are good and will enable fruitful relationships to be established on both sides.
  • The work of revising our constitutions continues thanks to the texts being drafted by the International Commission, on which we are being consulted.

We give thanks for Pope Leo’s visit to Turkey and Lebanon. His words encourage us: addressing the “Christians of the Levant, citizens of these lands in every respect,” the Pope said to them, “Have courage!” The whole Church looks to you with affection and admiration.” (December 2, 2025, final address of the Eucharistic celebration).

Jesus’ call not to be overcome by fear is very relevant today, says Leo XIV:
“We receive daily news about conflicts, disasters, and persecutions that torment millions of men and women. However, in the face of these afflictions, and in the face of the indifference that seeks to ignore them, Jesus’ words proclaim that the attack of evil cannot destroy the hope of those who trust in him. The darker the hour, the more faith shines like the sun.” (Angelus, November 16, 2025).

May the light of hope illuminate the coming year, and may it bring you the prayers and friendship of all your Carmelite sisters in the Federation!

HOLY AND JOYFUL CHRISTMAS!