Dearly beloved brothers and sisters,

First of all I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to God for each one of you for all what you are, and for all what you do to bring souls to Jesus and Jesus to souls as He Himself desires so much from us all. He wants us to offer more sacrifices, smile more tenderly, pray more fervently and study our Statutes and related documents more diligently.

There is much hunger, desire and thirst in the Heart of Jesus for souls especially the souls of the poor, who nobody takes care of. He, from the Cross-entrusted to Mother Teresa this great patrimony, this ineffable gift which we all are called to share in and share with. Let us then take time trying to understand the LMC Spirit and Charism so that we too may have her fervor and zeal for souls, and we too may continue to quench the infinite Thirst of Jesus on the Cross for love of souls. Jesus from the Cross said to Mother Teresa: " I have asked you, they (the crowed) have asked you, and She, My Mother has asked you, will you refuse to do this for Me, to take care of them, to bring them to Me?" Mother answered: "you know Jesus, I am ready to go at a moment’s notice".

Since that day our beloved Mother Teresa prayed unceasingly and labored untiringly for the salvation and sanctification of the poorest of the poor of the whole world without counting the cost, without seeking rest or reward, irrespective of color, caste, religion or nationality. She acquired God’s own Heart, Mind and Mentality: for her every person was a child of God. She loved everyone unconditionally as Jesus Himself would have loved him/her, loved and served the very person f Jesus in each one. People felt her great and personal love for each individual human being. The State funeral given to her and the people’s participation in it were clear manifestations of how they recognized our Mother’ tender love as Jesus had told her years ago: "In your immolation, in your love for me, they will see Me, know Me, want Me". And this did happen. Jesus’ words came literally true throughout her life and even after her death. She loved each and everyone to the very end. Let us follow her example and do the same.

A bit of news: Br. Peter renewed his vows anticipating a couple of weeks since I was going to be out on mission to U.S.A, Nicaragua, etc… In the month of July the Brothers, Br. Joachim, Br. Peter and Br. André Marie, one after another went for their home visits; two others went for their home visits, were Br. Paul MC and Br Damien MC. Br. Paul expressed his desire to spend his one-month in India, which he happily did. He has been to Deepashram, to Trivandrum, and to Potta to participate in the Charismatic retreat, which he did and said that he profited much from it, while Br. Damien did an itinerary home visit, visiting several people in different places including Calcutta leaving them with some remembrances. Br. Damien is now in Albania, as you all may know that we are trying to build a home for the handicapped boys there. The preliminary planning and meetings have taken place. We have to pray very hard for its realization in accordance with God’s will and in God’s time. In the month of July Br. Ivan Marie went home to Bosnia for his home visit plus his first Holy Mass. He was ordained priest in Rome on 25 April 2001.

As the exams were over Br. Stephen MC, and our candidates Br. Joachim and Br. Vincent were sent to our mission house in Bushat, Shkodra-Albania to replace Br. André Marie MC and Br. Paul. So now the Bushat Community has Br. Damien MC, Br. Ivan Marie M.C., Br. Stephen MC, Br. Paul MC and Br. Gaspar MC as members. They are trying to build up a community of love, to give loving and dedicated service to their needy neighbors especially taking care of their spiritual needs, including teaching children the catechism. Let us pray for Bushat Community, the Brothers and the poor they are called to serve, that Jesus’ hunger and thirst for souls may be satisfied, that they may never be tired of serving the Lord in joy and in peace. Incidentally it is 10 years ago on 8 September 1991 we began our community in Albania. We celebrated in our Community our Thanksgiving Mass already on 1^st September and then on 9^th September with the people of Bushat parish. It is very necessary to thank God for all what Jesus has been to us through our Blessed Mother.

In the month of May, Bishop Salvadore Lobo, the Bishop’s delegate for Mother Teresa’s cause for her beatification and canonization, called me from Briupur (W. Bengal) inviting me to participate in the closing ceremony of the diocesan inquiry, which was to be held in St. Mary’s Parish Church, in Calcutta on 15^th August 2001 at 4.00 p.m. Accordingly I decided to go, but then everything became so difficult that I practically canceled my trip, when from the blue sky Mrs. Daniela Mandolesi offered me a round trip ticket to Delhi and back. Thanks to Dr. Massimo and Daniela Mandolesi. This offer enabled me to be in Deepashram for some days, to meet the Brothers and have a day of prayer with the three Brothers on that occasion. Br. Alphonse, Br. Benedict and Br. Tony Mary Jose who renewed their vows on 5^th August 2001 as they were due for it on that day.

Deepashram was fortunate also to have so many volunteers especially a very dedicated group of young people (13 of them) from Parma under the leadership of Gianluca Costa. This was the fourth year that the group from Parma (North Italy) came to Deepashram. Real thanks to the whole group, especially to the dentist Paolo, the doctors, the priest Don Umberto and all the others. Special thanks are due also to Dr. Paolo and all those who have helped us to have the dental clinic set up. Our 61 homeless handicapped boys, many of our poor people of the area and our Brothers will be benefiting from such an enterprise. Everything is God’s gift; all praise, honor and glory to Him. There were still other volunteers like Mrs. Sandra from Italy, and Dr. Gloria who since first of February 2001 has been with my niece Mini who became totally handicapped since 1st July 1997 as she fell from 5 meters high. I thank God for Dr. Gloria for her tender care, loving service and kind attention, and for Mini’s good will and generous cooperation. Words are inadequate to express my heart felt thanks to Dr. Gloria for helping Mini to be practically self-sufficient, and that she can be in a wheel chair now and most part take care of herself and her personal needs. Let us hope and pray that she may continue to improve her difficult condition and feel better in body and soul.

Br. Subash MC is our new superior in Deepashram while continuing with his III year Theology in Vidayajyoti, Delhi. In Deepashram we have Fr. Dariusz from Poland who took care of our novices over two years; we have Fr. Deendayal from the Indian Missionary Society whose gentle presence, example and assistance is invaluable. Years ago while in Theology Fr. Deendayal and I were together in Pune, near Mumbai, and was my faithful companion to go with me to the slums almost every evening. I thank God for both for all what they are and they do for us and for our poor people.

Br André Marie who was in Deepashram for a few months is now back in Rome; Br. Benedict, Br. Tony Mary Jose and Br. Ramon resumed their studies at the Angelicum, in Rome. They are now replaced by two of our newly professed Brothers: Br. Basil MC and Br. Jan Timo MC. Actually these two and Br. Barnabas made their first vows on 5 September 2001,i.e. on the 4^th Anniversary of our beloved Mother Teresa’s going home to God, in one of the Salesian Parish Churches on Via Prenestina, Rome, known as Borgo Don Bosco. There were over 600 poor people from the various MC Sisters’ houses while some others were brought from the various parts of Rome where the Sisters go to visit. Some of our men from Casa Serena were also present. It was a moving experience. Thanks to Archbishop Giuseppe Mani, the Italian National Military Chaplain who was the main celebrant. After Holy mass all our poor people enjoyed a delicious meal.

I also made a quick visit to our Brothers in Albania where three of our Junior Brothers: Br. Stephen MC, Br. Paul MC and Br. Gaspar MC renewed their vows on 30 August 2001 till 8 September 2002. It was very simple but beautiful. Thanks to the regional Superior, Sr. Nada MC who came with Sr. Vittoria MC, the superior in Shkodra and Sr. Andrea MC, the organist, who made the celebration more colourful and moving. Thanks again to our very generous volunteers Dr. Salvatore and Dr. Paolo who worked so hard without counting the cost and without seeking rest or reward. Our return journey was even more unbelievably eventful, chaotic and demanding. I felt like the Israelites just before crossing the Red Sea. Before them were the raging waters of the red sea and behind them was the army of Pharaoh. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. Jesus saw our affliction and heard our cry and brought us to the promise land of Italy.

Finishing the first profession on Mother’s fourth departure from this world to God, Brothers Jean Marie MC and Br. Leo MC began their eight-day retreat on Thursday (7-9-2001) night to Friday evening (14-9-2001). They had a lot of time for themselves as I had to carry on with all my other engagements and appointments.

On 15^th September, on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows our community in Rome experienced deep spiritual joy and profound gratitude to God when our beloved Br. Leo MC made his perpetual vows of Chastity, Poverty, Obedience and Wholehearted Free Service to the poorest of the poor in the presence of the Brothers and in the hands of the Father General. It was very significant that we had the profession in the Parish Church of Our Lady of Sorrows on Her Feast day. What a grace it was! We thank Br. Leo MC and thank God for him and continue to pray for his growth in holiness through humility and charity and for his holy perseverance.

Thanks to God’s grace his Excellency bishop Anil Couto ordained Br. Mathew MC a priest on 16th October 2001 in the Sacred Heart Cathedral in New Delhi. and on 17^th October offered his first thanksgiving Mass for Deepashram Community and for our Society as a whole. Br. Mathew is going to be back in Deepashram together with Br. Thomas Mathew.

So there is much to thank God for all that the good Lord is doing for us through our poor people, volunteers, benefactors and friends. Let us continue to help one another to grow in holiness through our good example, prayers, sacrifices and hard work so that we remain God’s sign of hope, love, joy and peace. To this end we pray.

We are also have about 10 students of Theology and Philosophy this year too. It is a bit hard for the students to be fully engaged in their studies, and at the same time to remain faithful to our way of life and then to share in the work of the house and that of the apostolate. But this is a healthy tension, which will enable them to prepare themselves for their future life and ministry. Those who sow in tears will reap rejoicing. We have to shed much more tears now as we are still in the sowing stage while we patiently wait for a good and joyful harvest.

Taking the present world situation into account we have postponed our General Chapter to July 2002 – Saturday 6^th to Sunday 14^th July. This will enable us to prepare for our General Chapter even better. It is good to know that all your deposits and donations will not be lost but will be used, God willing, for the forthcoming General Chapter which we need to start preparing for.

Our hearty and prayerful thanks Donna Hovey Lmc for the beautiful letter addressed to us in preparation for a holy and blessed Christmas. Let us read it prayerfully and meditate on it to learn how to prepare a hidden warm crib in our hearts to welcome the Baby Jesus. Let us take all opportunities God is offering us each day to become a little more prayerful, a little more humble, a little more obedient, a little more charitable and thus be able to put our little straws…in our crib.

"Offer more sacrifices, smile more tenderly and pray more fervently and all the difficulties will disappear". This was Jesus’ own request to Mother Teresa. Let us do the same now more than ever and beyond doubt all difficulties and problems can be overcome one by one. Let us remain in touch.

Wishing you all a Holy Christmas and a happy New Year 2002. Love and prayers.

N.B. I hope to write you soon another letter. It is very hard to find some time for myself to do this.