I have mentioned before that waiting for a place in Bishop Carlos’ parish I stay in the family of Beatriz and Pepe. I participate in family life full of rituals like children going to school in the morning and their return, family dinner when we wait for Pepe to come back from work, plays and trips, doing homework and other duties.

I know this all so well from other homes that I visited during our meetings or programmes. But normally it was for 2-3 days and now it’s a bit longer. Ten days have passed since I landed in Mexico and there are another ten to go.

My favourite ritual has become the evening rosary. Of course, when we go somewhere, for example to a sanctuary of Mary, we pray on the way but if we are all at home, we meet together, preferably in the children’s room, when the kids are in pyjamas and ready to sleep. .

I remember all these homes where rosary is prayed with the whole family, every day. In the beginning it will always be difficult but slowly it becomes a wonderful part of the day that you look forward to. Can you imagine something more beautiful than a family that meet for rosary? It is so good to see a small daughter that falls asleep on her father’s lap during the prayer. We can lose so many grudges, purify so many desires. Perhaps we could continue with the rosary, even though October has come to an end?

With my prayers for you,

Padre J.

Recently I have happened to move through the city in different directions, mostly through poor districts. What has impressed me particularly is that this city is so full of colours.

A typical poor district as we can imagine in our cities: old houses, not renovated for a very long time; plywood instead of a window pane, doors without hinges. But each of the houses is full of life and of a different colour – this is the work of the inhabitants who paint their world blue, red, green, yellow, in all possible shades. All streets are full of colourful houses. I have not yet made pictures but as soon as I Have them, I shall put them on this page.

I remember, by contrast, my quarters with their greyness. I don;t mean the modern part of the city but the places that tourists don;t go to – they are full of warm colours.
It is not about hiding poverty. It is still there but it does not prevail.

I am sure there are many reasons for this but I cannot do here an antropogical study. I’m only sharing what has impressed me again when I travelled through the city.

I am enclosing one interior picture.

Remembering you,

Padre J.