As we enter the Season of Lent, I find myself in Bangladesh. I look around and I see the signs of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection. I see the passion of Jesus when I look at children with no food, men struggling with addictions, and women who lack freedom. I see the death of Jesus when I look at people dying of conditions that are easily treatable in the United States. I see His resurrection when I look at all my PIME brothers and sisters, giving of themselves, giving their entire lives for the needs of the people around them. This is what Jesus did through his passion, death, and resurrection, and what he calls us to do - to be partakers of this mystery of salvation.
I also see the impact that the PIME U.S. Mission Center has made on so many lives. I see glimpses of resurrection when I look at the Boarding School in Kewachala. We helped Sr. Bondona, MDI-PIME, renovate the hostel attached to this school, and she will now welcome 50 girls from the surrounding villages to live here. This will provide them with an opportunity to get an education; in a country where, according to UNICEF, only 28% of Bangladeshi females graduate from high school. Here, we will also expand our PIME Sponsorships at a Distance Program, bringing the number of children we sponsor in Bangladesh to over 500.
There are so many desperate situations, yet I feel hopeful – because Jesus promised us that, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there shall be no more death or mourning, wailing or pain, [for] the old order has passed away. […] Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:4-5). Jesus is at work through people like Sr. Roberta, MDI-PIME, who takes care of the lepers in Khulna, and Fr. Francesco, PIME, who started the Twelve Steps Club for people with addictions in Dhaka. Both of these missionaries are medical doctors and Jesus called them to Bangladesh to heal those in the most desperate conditions.
Jesus makes all things new! And during this Lenten Season, He asks us to share our own skills for the renewal of the world. I want to thank you for being a part of this renewal. Because of you, our PIME US Mission Center surpassed our goal in 2023 and sent over 1.1 million dollars to the missions!
The impact we have is tremendous, and if you want to consider prayerfully donating $50 to our 2024 PIME Lenten Appeal, it will help our missionaries to bring the newness of the Gospel where it is most needed. On behalf of all our PIME Missionaries, I wish you a Holy and blessed Lent.
God bless you,
Fr. Daniele Criscione
PIME U.S. Mission Center Director
