Belonging to the Spanish-speaking Volunteers of God brings with it great challenges that we must face not only with resilience, but also with faith, hope and the five attitudes of life that are part of our spirituality. Based on my experience with the Volunteers of God I have met in recent years, I must emphasize the effort they make every day to lead a life worthy of being called Christian:

• Moments of prayer are a safe refuge in God and during which we can, like the beloved disciple, rest our head on Jesus' breast. We can also take advantage of this time to share with Him our deepest feelings, our concerns and the requests that only He can answer so that we can be truly happy.

• The sacraments, in particular the Eucharist and Confession, become for us Volunteers of God the means we use to strengthen our Christian life. They also allow us to have a sincere encounter with Jesus and Mary, his mother, so that we can experience God's presence with commitment.

• The concern of the Holy Spirit urges us to reach out to those in greatest need. In the midst of the difficulties experienced by our Spanish-speaking countries, such as violence, poverty, injustice, corruption and persecution, we strive to collaborate with our brothers and sisters in solidarity, avoiding useless complaints and destructive criticism, and serving others in a world that is in desperate need of peace.

In conclusion, let us remind ourselves that although living as true Volunteers of God is not easy, it is not impossible. The most important thing is to remain united with God and take advantage of all the means He provides, such as this Jubilee Year. Its theme is 'Pilgrims of Hope,' and it invites us to reflect on the importance of keeping hope alive, hope in Christ.

Esther Acuña Rios
Coordinator of Volunteers of God
Spanish America