杏MAP导航 sends greetings to Portuguese girl suffering serious illness
By Salvatore Cernuzio
Edna Rodriques, a 17-year-old Portuguese woman, has suffered from a severe illness for the past eight years.
鈥淭he doctor said that he does not know when I will meet Jesus, but that it will happen soon,鈥� she wrote to 杏MAP导航 Francis in a letter she addressed to him from the hospital in June 2023, ahead of World Youth Day in Lisbon.
Despite the prognosis, Edna still endures her great suffering and carries on with the same serenity that moved 杏MAP导航 Francis.
On Friday, the 杏MAP导航 greeted the young woman once again in a short video recorded by Cardinal Américo Manuel Alves Aguiar, Bishop of Setúbal (Portugal), who was one of the organizers of the WYD.
The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 greeting
鈥淓dna, I remember you,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said at the beginning of the video clip. 鈥淚 remember that you had offered all your illness and your pain for Youth Day. Thank you for that, and thank you for continuing to fight. Strive ahead, continue!鈥�
The Holy Father urged Edna, 鈥淐ontinue to pray for so many young people who need strength to move forward. Do not forget that you are one of the pillars of Youth Day. May God bless you; may Our Lady watch over you, and don鈥檛 forget to pray for me. Ciao!鈥�
Last year's exchange of letters and videos
Last year, Edna had signed up for World Youth Day in August in Lisbon, in her native Portugal. It was a chance to be close to the 杏MAP导航, who was so 鈥渋mportant to me and my family," but more a hope than a realistic expectation, knowing as she did that her physical strength would not allow her to go.
And, in fact, it turned out that the young woman was unable to attend the event with her peers from St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish on the outskirts of the Portuguese capital and other young people from five continents.
鈥淲hen I learned that the Day would be held in Portugal, I was very happy, because every time I see the 杏MAP导航 speak on television, I feel good, as if I had no illness that would prevent me from participating in WYD,鈥� she wrote in her letter to 杏MAP导航 Francis.
The Holy Father promptly replied to her with a one-minute video message in which he said 鈥淭hank you鈥� six times. He thanked her for her 鈥渢enderness鈥� and for 鈥渢he peace鈥� in her heart, which, he said, is 鈥渓ike a seed planted in the hearts of all of us who see you and all those who speak with you.鈥�
鈥淚 am accompanying you on this journey you are on. I accompany you and I know that you will be well received,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis added. 鈥淚 accompany you by praying for you, praying with you, and looking at Jesus, who is always waiting for us.鈥�
A message for a 107-year-old Portuguese woman
In a separate video message recorded by Cardinal Aguiar, the 杏MAP导航 also offered the assurance of his prayers to Maria da Conceição Brito Mendonça, a 107-year-old Portuguese woman born on the day of the Fatima apparitions, 13 May 1917, whom he met in the Lisbon Nunciature and who brought him a Rosary as a gift.
鈥淪tay strong and keep going. Don't slow down, continue to pray Rosaries, to support the Church with your prayer and your joy,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 told her.
The Bishop of Setúbal, who was created Cardinal last September, then asked the 杏MAP导航 if he could also send a few words to the many young men and women who participated in the Portuguese WYD and are already preparing for the next one, set to take place in Seoul, South Korea.
鈥淭hey tell me that you young people must be provoked; otherwise, you fall asleep. No! Don't fall asleep, ok? Don't fall asleep,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said.
鈥淧anama, Lisbon, Seoul鈥攊t's a journey for you,鈥� he adds. 鈥淚t's a journey you are on, and it鈥檚 an interesting journey that leaves its mark. It is important to leave traces in life鈥攖o leave something that you have done. You can say, 鈥楢 young man passed through here and left this mark.鈥� Reflect a little on this: What footprints have I left in life? And strive ahead; don鈥檛 be discouraged.鈥�
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