Vatican, 19 May 2021 -- On 16 May 2021 Pope Francis decide to celebrate the Sunday Eucharist in the Vatican Basilica of St. Peter with the Burmese community in Rome for the suffering Myanmar people in their homeland, after more than 100 days of the violent military junta rule.

Pope Francis said in his homily: “Dear brothers and sisters, in these days when your beloved country, Myanmar, is experiencing violence, conflict, and repression, let us ask ourselves: What we are being called to keep?...

“In the first place, to keep the faith. We need to keep the faith lest we yield to grief or plunge into the despair of those who no longer see a way out...To keep the faith is to keep our gaze lifted up to heaven, as here on earth, battles are fought and innocent blood is shed. To keep the faith is to refuse to yield to the logic of hatred and vengeance, but to keep our gaze fixed on the God of love, who calls us to be brothers and sisters to one another...

Concluding his homily, the pope said: “Dear brothers and sisters, today I wish to lay upon the Lord’s altar the sufferings of his people and to join you in praying that God will convert all hearts to peace.”

A moving address to the pope on behalf of the people of Myanmar was delivered at the end of Mass by a young priest, Father Bosco Mung Sawng, who expressed gratitude for the Pope's love for this “little flock” at a time when “the world community has abandoned us.” He called the pope Myanmar’s “Good Samaritan”.

On this occasion Sister Ann Rose Nu Tawng, the religious sister who became a worldwide iconic figure earlier this year as she knelt on a dusty road in supplication between the Myanmar military and anti-coup demonstrators, has launched a new book in Italian and her interview with the journalist in Rome via video from her convent in Myitkyina (Northern Myanmar) was broadcast on May 13, before the Vatican mass.

The military seized power in the early hours of Feb. 1, detaining the country’s elected civilian leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, along with Burma’s President Win Myint. Unti know more than 800 civilians including children were killed and almost 4000 people were arrested. Military junta continues the arbitrary arrests, tortures and there is no sign of hope for a change in this situation. In addition to repression, Burma is facing steep rises in food and fuel prices. The United Nations World Food Program reports that up to 3.4 million more people will go hungry as a result of pre-existing poverty, the coronavirus crisis, and political instability.

At the same time we remember in a special way our 11 MYM novices (3 who are preparing for their first profession in Cebu, FIS and 8 who started their novitiate in Myanmar) and other 6 Salesians in Myanmar are preparing for the priestly ordination next June.

Mary Help of Christians, pray for Myanmar!