Translated by Helga Leija

Horizons - At times, it feels like we are "caught in the snares of death," and that life itself becomes impossible. And yet, the wind of the Spirit "blows where it wills," and remains undeniably present in the midst of our reality.

Sr. Jenny Castañeda believes that her "wounded Indigenous identity" does not need perfection but recognition. 

Horizons - During a mission in rural Media Naranja, in Argentina, a group of Catholic sisters, young and adult laypeople, families, and a consecrated laywoman shared 10 days of evangelization with families in the community.

In 2018, Pope Francis visited the San Joaquín women's prison in Chile. Sr. Lourdes López Munguía recounts how his gaze and a heartfelt song by the inmates left an indelible mark on those who experienced that encounter.

"Francis was a shepherd who 'smelled of the sheep,'" writes theologist Consuelo Vélez, reflecting on his pontificate's legacy and impact.

Perhaps because Pope Francis, with his pulmonary fragility, knew what it was like to struggle for breath, in the maturity of his life he helped the church to breathe.

"We feel part of this living Church with its own face, a Church that breathes our Indigenous identity and spirituality," writes Sr. Delia Maria Albatabango of the Ayllu Guadalupac Misioneracuna in Ecuador.

As followers of Jesus, we feel challenged to reveal the face of the merciful God, to transcend suffering, and to not let the discourse of hatred rob us of inner peace or plunge us into despair.

"The poor have learned to wait. They endure the frustration of denied opportunities, standing upright, sustained by a hope that flickers like an incandescent flame at the center of their existence," writes Sr. Begoña Costillo. She reflects on the patient waiting of those seeking financial assistance at the Monastery of the Incarnation in Lima, Peru, contrasting it with the structured and time-oriented life of the Catholic sisters.

The saints who inspire me are ordinary people who, despite their frailties, do good and reveal God's presence in profound ways. They are people who have learned to attune themselves to the heartbeat of God within humanity.

On the eve of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, Sr. Nadieska Almeida from Cuba reflects on Mary's role as protector and source of hope for Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Mary has accompanied our history,’ she writes.

Sr. Amaya Hernandez's religious life has been immersed in the Augustinian charism, a guide of order and love that has led her toward true peace and the discovery of her identity and mission, even amid uncertainty.

Haste and anxiety dehumanize us and prevent us from getting closer to God. Practicing patience reminds us to stop and take a deep breath to be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy and present each day.

On the "sixth day, the day before the Sabbath," writes Sr. Magda Bennásar, "we are invited to 'ascend' the mountain with fellow community members, mirroring Jesus' journey with his disciples."

Sr. Begoña Costillo narrates her encounter with a woman and her children, who live in a small wooden room on the roof of a building. In the midst of precariousness, she discovers the divine presence and resilience of a mother who relies on God to overcome adversity. 

GSR has become a close-knit and expansive community where we feel like sisters, united in weaving the dream of a shared prophetic mission and a passion for communicating life in all its dimensions.

Sr. Marlene Quispe Tenorio reflects on the inner journey and the experience of encountering the divine presence in everyday life. It's a journey of freedom that profoundly changes her life and impacts the lives of those she encounters. "This Lenten season has been incredibly moving for me," she shares, "as I truly feel like a child of God, liberated and free."

In today's reality, the traditional model of consecrated life tied to an institution is obsolete," writes Sr. Magda Bennásar. "The ministry model of the past is in urgent need of updating." 

How do congregations cope with the changes and the decline in vocations? Sr. Dora Tupil shares her experience of the closure of houses and projects of her congregation, the Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.