As God's co-workers, we urge you not to let the grace you have received from him go unheeded. For he says in Scripture: At the right time I heard you, on the day of salvation I helped you. Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation. (2 Co 6, 1-2)

[..] By God's grace, we will be celebrating two Jubilees: that of the universal Church to renew the world's hope, and that of the Congregation to, in the same spirit, renew the joy of being Eudists. We took the time to prepare ourselves with the Church, which invited us to renew our desire and practice of prayer. We reread the great texts of Saint John Eudes on prayer, the foundation of our Christian life. In the midst of our activities, our projects and activities, so many exciting and interesting realities, how are we going to live the Jubilee?

The main event that led us to decide on a jubilee year was the centenary of the canonization of our Founder on May 31, 1925, in St. Peter's Square, Rome, together with the Curé d'Ars, St. Jean-Marie Vianney. We chose a date to start the Jubilee: thanksgiving for 100 years of the Congregation's presence in Venezuela. On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, 1925, Fr. Pierre Buffet began a work that turned out to be the beginning of the present province, where many confreres from Colombia, Canada, France and Ecuador came to bring their commitment and their faith, and to put their talents and charisms at the service of all. We give thanks for all the confreres and associates who have worked for the growth of the Kingdom in this country where a strong, joyful and fruitful missionary impulse combines with a difficult political and social situation, calling for a new strength of hope for tomorrow. We bless the Lord, Good Shepherd, for the great witnesses we recognize in this country: the Servant of God Monsignor Miguel Antonio Salas, whose beatification process continues, and Brother Evaristo Jerez, a Eudist recognized by all for his service to the formation of young people. With our brothers and friends in Venezuela, we look confidently to the future, with candidates in formation and pre-associates.  

[..] On the eve of this time of renewal, let's simply ask ourselves: are we thirsty for renewal in our capacity for hope? Do we need this favorable time? What are my expectations for the jubilee year, our aspirations as a community, our hopes in solidarity with our contemporaries?

Fr. Jean-Michel AMOURIAUX, c.j.m.
General Superior