Brasilia, February 4, 2022
Dear Father Gailhac
A little over two years ago, I joined one of the works inherited from your wonderful charism. I was delighted by everything that was presented to me as a work proposal, I admired the pedagogical organization of the school, I was amazed by the smiles of satisfaction of the children, young people, and adults that I met on my way. There are many beautiful things on a daily basis.
Obviously, not everything is light. There are also those who, here, have gradually become disillusioned. And, as sad as it may seem, many of them live among us, like a candle that is about to flicker out.
Seeing this, I was sad, and I began to wonder what I could do to stimulate these lives. What could I do to rekindle the flame? By this time, I had already learned the mantra that recommends keeping the lamp lit. I decided to pray constantly to ask for your presence and to say openly to everyone: DO NOT LET THE LAMP GO OUT!
We prayed, chanted, and sang this mantra in various circumstances to warm hearts and rekindle the flame. It worked!
Today, I have the conviction that your flame is burning in my heart. Every day, every time I feel the challenge, I feel your presence and I listen inwardly to the song in a woman’s voice (perhaps it is from Mother Saint John herself)
DO NOT LET THE LAMP GO OUT!
DO NOT LET THE LAMP GO OUT!
FOR THE MISSION OF GAILHAC MUST CONTINUE.
FOR THE MISSION OF GAILHAC MUST CONTINUE.
I am immensely grateful to you for allowing me to live this time.
Fraternally
Hudson Rodrigues
“Every day we must be better. We must keep moving forward because not to move forward is to move backward.” (Father Gailhac)
