In the current Coronavirus situation, I have learned, first of all, to live, as I did not before. To live in communion with people who live both far away and who live here in Brazil, for them to be more present and, especially, to live day by day with the awareness that He is present, and offering what I do to those who have suffered the loss of their loved one, to those who suffer and are sick. I have never been helped more strongly to live Lent as I was this year, to truly live it as an opportune moment for my conversion, to live day by day keeping the Lord, people, and the people of God in mind.

That Friday, March 27, we all saw the Pope walking in the rain, alone and in silence, towards the crucified Christ. Through this great gesture he told us that we are alone walking towards Him; although living in the companionship of friends, it is I, it is you who respond to Him, to reality, the other does not respond for me, it is I who stand before Christ.

Within the harsh situation we are living, it is beautiful to see, for example, the humanity of the mayor of Belo Horizonte, Alexandre Kakil, who ordered the closure of schools, nurseries, universities and restaurants.

As soon as the mayor ordered the closure, on the following day, March 11, we closed all daycare centers: the most important help we could give to families was to obey the mayor's decision to "stay at home". We said to the parents who came to pick up their children from the daycare center that from the next day the daycare center would close indefinitely to avoid the spread of Covid-19, as indicated by the Ministry of Health. We reinforced the fact that, even though it is a difficult situation, it is important to obey the prescribed regulations, because "staying at home" saves their lives and those of thousands of people.

This, in my opinion, was and is the help that, at this moment, corresponds most to us and to our families, and that same day all daycare centers attempted to deliver a basket of food to the families most in need. Our mayor has intelligently organized the distribution of food baskets to the families registered in the daycare centers, but not only to the neediest families: each family goes to their nearest supermarket to pick up the food. It is beautiful that Kalil has involved all supermarkets in food distribution.

Read also- “A small hint of light”

I am moved by the flourishing of humanity, of solidarity, of unity, by the availability of people, by personal changes, by the creativity of teachers in sending stories and activities, but I am also moved to see the unity between the City Council and the State within the drama that we are living.

I am amazed to see in myself that my heart is at peace and is hopeful, even within the drama in which we are all immersed.

Rosetta, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
#Coronavirus