Hello everyone, my dear brothers and sisters. Let me wish you all the blessings of Easter as we celebrate the Resurrection of Our Lord.

This year, many of us may feel uncomfortable celebrating this season of great joy due to news of unrest and the horrors of war. It is natural that our hearts go out to the people of Ukraine. Their suffering is evident.

I wish it was something unusual.

But it seems that wars and suffering never end. Right now, in addition to the conflict in Eastern Europe, there are wars, insurgencies, and ethnic violence in every region that Maryknoll priests and brothers serve.

Even if they are not in the midst of misery, or shootings, like the ones we see on our screens all the time, they are not far away. People displaced from their homes become refugees in need of shelter. Children need to be educated. The hungry need to be fed.

When I have looked at the faces of those people, I have been able to catch a glimpse of the face of our Lord. Human suffering, in a war-torn land or on a cross atop Calvary, reduces us all to the same state.

Dear friends, in the Gospel of Saint Matthew the Angel of the Lord tells the women who go to the tomb: “Do not be afraid”. In a way, that sums up the glory of the Resurrection, which is God's gift to us.

When we let go of our fears, we can help each other transcend suffering. Alone we cannot end or win a war. However, together we can change the lives of those affected by it.

Your support and your prayers are what make the work of my fellow Maryknoll missionaries possible. On behalf of all the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, I wish you all the blessings of Easter.

And I ask that you continue to pray with us as we serve our less fortunate brothers and sisters who are suffering in the world.

And now, my dear brothers and sisters,
May the merciful God, who by the resurrection of his only begotten Son has redeemed you and made you his children, fill you with joy with his blessing. Amen.

Through Christ the Redeemer, through whom you have received the gift of perpetual freedom, grant you also, in his goodness, to have a share in the eternal inheritance. Amen.

May you, who by faith have risen in baptism, deserve, by your good works, to reach the heavenly homeland. Amen.

And the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, descend upon you and remain forever. Amen.

Happy Easter.