Dear Mother General, Dear Participants of the 10th General Chapter of the Daughters of St Paul, May the Grace and Peace of Our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all ! I thank you for sending me the Press Release and the Prayer to Mary concerning the 10th General Chapter of your Congregation. The theme you have chosen is timely and is your charism: “We believe and so we speak.” With bold and prophet-ic faith we offer everyone “the charity of the Truth.” These days, we are preparing for the Feast of the Assumption by praying, singing, and fasting. The Feast shall be celebrated on August 22nd according to the Oriental Ethiopian Rite. In many parts of the world, the Feast of the Assumption shall be on August 15th. However, in Ethiopia, we still shall be praying and singing the praises of Our Lady during your Chapter ! I kindly request you to remember us in your prayers and, please, do not forget Ethiopia which has been knocking at the door of the Daughters of St Paul for so long … inviting you to come and work in this part of the Vineyard of the Lord ! May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church and your Mother, accompany you with her intercessions during this important chapter. May also the intercessions of Blessed James Alberione and the Venerable Sr. Thecla Merlo be with you. Wishing God’s blessing on all of you, I remain, Yours in our Lord Jesus Christ, + Berhaneyesus D. Souraphiel CM Metropolitan Archbishop of Addis Abeba. President of the CBCE
