The emptier a person's heart is, the more he or she needs to buy, own, and consume.

To follow Jesus means putting him first, and stripping ourselves of all the things that oppress our hearts.

Living Holy Week following Jesus means learning how to come out of ourselves to reach out to others, to go to the outskirts of existence, to be the first to move towards our brothers and sisters, especially those who are most distant, those who are forgotten, those who are most in need of understanding, consolation and help. There is so much need to bring the living presence of Jesus, merciful and full of love!

Accompanying the people in their growth through good times and also through their difficulties, accompanying people in their joy and in their bad moments, in their difficulties when there is no work, ill health and the challenge of the Church.

The Lord is always there waiting to give us his love: it is an amazing thing, one which never ceases to surprise us!

Let us ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to live daily according to the mind of Jesus and his Gospel.

I would like especially to mention you, the women, wives and mothers of Paraguay, who at great cost and sacrifice were able to lift up a country defeated, devastated and laid low by an abominable war. God bless your perseverance, God bless and encourage your faith, God bless the women of Paraguay, the most glorious women of America.