Communicators of Hope
Between January 23rd and 27th communicators from all the corners of the Cabrini family gathered in Rome to participate in the Jubilee of the world of communications and to attend a moment of sharing and formation.
Enrica Valentini, our Resource Mobilization Specialist, who is currently helping us with communications, participated in the event on behalf of the Holy Spirit Region.
Communicators of the Cabrini Family in front of the Statue of Mother Cabrini at St. Paul outside the walls basilica in Rome
Communicators from all Provinces and Region of the institute met in Rome to participate in the Jubilee of the world of communications. In addition to the jubilee activities, we had the opportunity to spend two days together share our experience as Cabrini Communicators in our respective contexts, and receive formation.
Addressing us at the Vatican, Pope Francis shared a few thoughts on communications, saying that communicating is not just sharing a message, but it is an encounter: it means getting out of ourselves and share a bit of ourselves to meet the others.
Pope Francis addressing journalists and communicators
In his speech, the Pope stressed the importance of our work as commucators: it is not just a profession, but a mission, and we should take it seriously, because what we say and how we say it can make the difference between sharing hope and spreading hatred.
“You, communicators, have a fundamental role for society today, in reporting facts and in the way in which you report them. We know that the language, attitude and tones can be decisive and make the difference between communication that rekindles hope, builds bridges and opens doors, and communication that instead increases divisions, polarizations, and simplifications of reality.”
During the meeting we received copies of Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Social Communications. The message inspired all of us, especially because his words evoked our charism as bearers of the love of Jesus to the world. It reminds us that communicating in the “Cabrini style” means sharing love and hope, whithout ever arming the people whose stories we tell, and encourages us to do our work better.
“I dream of a communication capable of making us fellow travelers, walking alongside our brothers and sisters and encouraging them to hope in these troubled times. A communication capable of speaking to the heart, arousing not passionate reactions of defensiveness and anger, but attitudes of openness and friendship. A communication capable of focusing on beauty and hope even in the midst of apparently desperate situations, and generating commitment, empathy and concern for others. A communication that can help us in “recognizing the dignity of each human being, and [in] working together to care for our common home” (Dilexit Nos, 217).
I dream of a communication that does not peddle illusions or fears, but is able to give reasons for hope. Martin Luther King once said: “If I can help someone as I pass along, if I can cheer somebody with a word or song... then my living will not be in vain”. [3] To do this, though, we must be healed of our “diseases” of self-promotion and self-absorption, and avoid the risk of shouting over others in order to make our voices heard. A good communicator ensures that those who listen, read or watch can be involved, can draw close, can get in touch with the best part of themselves and enter with these attitudes into the stories told. Communicating in this way helps us to become “pilgrims of hope”, which is the motto of the present Jubilee.”
This was the first time for all of us working in communications to meet together face to face. It was an incredible occasion to learn from each other and to strengthen the bond among us.
Cabrini communicators during a moment of prayer