"As women covenanted together in vowed commitment,
we encourage each other to live daily fidelity in radical Gospel living
in the spirit of the beatitudes".
(ASC Constitution, Article 8)



On the mountain, Christ gives the disciples a new law written in the heart, no longer on stone, that renews our lives and makes them good, even when the world seems to have failed us and is full of misery. Jesus announces Good News for all humanity.On the mountain, Christ gives the disciples a new law written in the heart, no longer on stone, that renews our lives and makes them good, even when the world seems to have failed us and is full of misery. Jesus announces Good News for all humanity.Beatitudes are specific attitudes proposed by Jesus in order to become blessed and holy. By practicing beatitudes Jesus wants us to imitate his lifestyle and become like Him.Living the Beatitudes can bring us happiness, bring light to the world’s shadows, and renew our hearts. God gives hope to those whom the world discards as desperate. Beatitudes are lights that the Lord kindles in the darkness of history, revealing the plan of salvation that the Father accomplishes through the Son, with the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus does not speak of a distant consolation, but of a constant grace that always sustains us, especially in the hour of affliction.Those who are accustomed to thinking that happiness belongs to the rich may believe that Jesus is deluded. However, the delusion lies precisely in the lack of faith in Christ. Christ is the poor person who shares his life with everyone, the meek person who perseveres in suffering, the peacemaker persecuted to death on the cross. Jesus says blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. God is peace, Jesus is the prince of peace as we read it in the book of Isaiah 9,6. Peace, or Shalom in the Bible is more than absence of conflict; it is wholeness, harmony and reconciliation with God and one another. God’s peace comes through the cross-reconciling heaven with earth and earth with heaven through the power of His Blood. Likewise, Meekness is not weakness but rather a sign of inner strength and hope, allowing one to endure challenges and difficulties in patience. In the OT Moses is described as the meekest person on earth. And above all, it is the spirit of Jesus who says: “Learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart”. The meek do not seek to dominate or retaliate, they trust God to defend their cause. Saint Theresa of Lisieux lived this gentle strength transforming hearts not by power but by love. Her own life exemplified meekness, as she struggled imperfections and suffering, yet remained trusting in God’s love and mercy.Mercy in Hebrew is HESED -  means steadfast love; a love that forgives, heals and remains faithful even when betrayed. Jesus shows mercy to the sinners, sick and the broken; he tells us, be merciful as the Father is merciful. The saints too were reflections of this mercy. “Mercy is the beating heart of the Gospel” is a quote from Pope Francis’ document called the Face of Mercy-Misericordia Vultus. This document emphasizes the importance of mercy in the life of Christians, highlighting it as a central theme of Jesus’ teaching and mission. Therefore, Mercy is one of the most important gospel values. We can all practice daily little acts of mercy. As mother Theresa says: “not all of us can do great things. But we can all do small things with great love”. Again, in the sermon on the mountain blessedness is promised to those who are persecuted, for the cause of justice… Jesus Himself was persecuted; the sinless one was crucified as a criminal. The saints suffered because they refused to compromise truth.As St. Gaspar refused to obey Napolean saying, I will not, I must not, I should not….as a matter of fact, he had to suffer imprisonment. Oscar Romero’s courage bore testimony that love is stronger than death. His courage is inspiring. As the Archbishop of El Salvador, he fearlessly spoke out against human rights abuses, government corruption, and violence despite receiving numerous death threats. his was a prophetic voice for the poor and oppressed. Romero’s courage was rooted in his deep faith and commitment to the Gospel. Today can we be a prophetic presence in our world?.In conclusion when we apply these attitudes to Jesus life, we see them being practiced so perfectly…Jesus was poor in spirit, He mourned and took upon himself  the sins of the world, he was meek like a lamb…he intensely desired God’s righteousness and justice, he was merciful and compassionate, he had a pure innocent heart to love God and others (Integrity of heart), he promoted peace to all, everywhere, he was persecuted and crucified. In this way, Jesus showed us how to live Kingdom values. Only God can truly call the poor and afflicted blessed, because God is the highest good who gives himself to all with infinite love, only God can satisfy those who seek peace and justice, because God is the just judge of the world, the author of eternal peace. Only in God do the meek, the merciful, and the pure of heart find joy, because God is the fulfilment of their expectations, and in persecution, they find redemption, and in falsehood, they find an anchor of truth.

Sr Marykutty Kanattu, ASC

On Monday, January 26, 2026, a ceremony was held for the blessing of the Marriage and Family Counseling Center of the Archdiocese of Đakovo-Osijek in Vukovar, which began its work on January 1, 2026. Employed at the center is Sr. Ljubica Radovac, M.Sc., a social worker and social pedagogue, currently undergoing training at the School of Cybernetics and Systemic Therapy. The counseling center in Vukovar is the result of several years of negotiations between the Archdiocese and the City of Vukovar (since 2021). Ultimately, on December 22, 2025, an Agreement on Mutual Rights and Obligations was signed establishing the Marriage and Family Counseling Center. The signatories were Archbishop Đuro Hranić, Mr. Marijan Pavliček, Mayor of Vukovar, and Associate Professor Fr. Josip Bošnjaković, PhD, the professional director of the counseling service within the Archdiocese. In 2025, the community of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Zagreb Region, of which Sr. Ljubica is a member, also became involved in the implementation.On Monday, January 26, 2026, a ceremony was held for the blessing of the Marriage and Family Counseling Center of the Archdiocese of Đakovo-Osijek in Vukovar, which began its work on January 1, 2026. Employed at the center is Sr. Ljubica Radovac, M.Sc., a social worker and social pedagogue, currently undergoing training at the School of Cybernetics and Systemic Therapy. The counseling center in Vukovar is the result of several years of negotiations between the Archdiocese and the City of Vukovar (since 2021). Ultimately, on December 22, 2025, an Agreement on Mutual Rights and Obligations was signed establishing the Marriage and Family Counseling Center. The signatories were Archbishop Đuro Hranić, Mr. Marijan Pavliček, Mayor of Vukovar, and Associate Professor Fr. Josip Bošnjaković, PhD, the professional director of the counseling service within the Archdiocese. In 2025, the community of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Zagreb Region, of which Sr. Ljubica is a member, also became involved in the implementation.With warm words of welcome, Sr. Ljubica opened the ceremony by greeting Auxiliary Bishop Ivan Ćurić, who presided over the celebration; the Mayor of Vukovar, Marijan Pavliček; Sr. Matija Pavić, Regional Superior of the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ with the members of her council; as well as the other sisters present. She also greeted the head of the Department for Social Affairs of the City of Vukovar, Josip Paloš; representatives of the Franciscan fraternity in Vukovar, Fr. Mijo Tikvić and Fr. Vjeran Lazić; the other priests present; representatives of city offices, social institutions and associations, especially associations arising from the Homeland War, representatives of the media, and individual believers, friends and supporters of the Counseling Center.The counseling center is an expression of our civic and faith commitment; it reflects the pastoral closeness of the Church to all individuals and families who face crises, difficulties, and the challenges of modern life, Sr. Ljubica emphasized. She added that this commitment and closeness will be shown through the work of the center by providing psychological and spiritual support, counseling, psychotherapy, and by working on prevention and education.Afterwards, Associate Professor Fr. Josip Bošnjaković, PhD, professional director of the counseling service in the Archdiocese, addressed those present, expressing his joy at the blessing and establishment of the counseling center in Vukovar. With this, he said, a new path has begun, a synodal path, a shared journey with all the citizens and believers of the city of Vukovar and beyond. In his greeting he referred to the words of the Gospel: “When Jesus heard that John had been handed over, he withdrew to Galilee,” explaining why Jesus began His ministry at that moment, because John had been handed over and the people no longer had a prophet. “Jesus, our God, who always takes the initiative in relation to us, recognizes people’s needs and responds where there is need. I hope and believe that the opening of the Marriage and Family Counseling Center in Vukovar is also a response of our local Church to the recognized needs of citizens and believers, and that we may respond to this need professionally and with dedication, naturally alongside the already existing services in the city and county that place themselves at the service of people every day. Together with others we want to learn day by day how to build, in the best possible way, a society in which individuals, married couples, families, and all others can live with a sense of well-being and peace, experiencing the fruits of the Sermon on the Mount and the spirit of the Beatitudes,” Fr. Bošnjaković said. He emphasized that through 23 years of experience working in counseling centers, various insights, needs, and forms of cooperation have been gained. He expressed the wish that in Vukovar as well there will be cooperation with different psychosocial, health, legal, educational, and other institutions always in service to users, clients, and patients, ultimately to those seeking God, but also to all who seek the type of help that the center can provide.In the work of the counseling center, cooperation with parish priests is extremely important, Fr. Bošnjaković noted, thanking the Franciscan brothers in Vukovar, as well as the dean of the Vukovar deanery, Fr. Zvonimir Martinović, and the other priests for their collaboration so far. He also thanked the mayor and the City of Vukovar for providing space for the counseling center, emphasizing that this is very important because the place where people come to seek help must provide warmth, care, attention, safety, and protection. Besides the space and environment, people themselves are extremely important, especially professionals who love what they do. In this regard, he expressed his satisfaction and wished abundant blessings, strength, love, and wisdom to Sr. Ljubica Radovac, whose professional competence, rich experience working in social institutions, ongoing education, and training in cybernetics and systemic therapy will certainly contribute to high-quality work and good results. Mayor Pavliček expressed his satisfaction with the opportunity for cooperation and support for this project within the current real circumstances. He thanked representatives of the Church who are open and attentive to the needs of their faithful and other citizens. He also expressed efforts to improve the spatial and financial conditions necessary for the work of such a counseling center, which is available to all citizens of Vukovar without distinction, guaranteeing anonymity and discretion.Words of support and hope were also expressed by Sr. Matija Pavić, Regional Superior of the Zagreb Region, emphasizing that the whole community is happy and blessed to contribute in this field of work for the “dear neighbor” in need. The Adorers have been working in this region since 2003, and now through the person of Sr. Ljubica even more concretely and actively in the social field and in the pastoral care of marriage and family.Sr. Ljubica informed those present that the current modest yet simple and beautiful space in the Home of Croatian Veterans is shared by the Counseling Center with other associations arising from the Homeland War: the Mothers of Vukovar, Vukovar veterans, volunteers, women defenders, war invalids, and the children and families of fallen and missing Croatian defenders. She greeted their representatives.As a sign of the desire for good cooperation and mutual support under the same roof, Bishop Ćurić accompanied by Fr. Davor Senjan, PhD, and the host of the event at their request blessed not only the premises of the Counseling Center but also the other spaces where these associations operate. The bishop remained afterwards in conversation with the representatives of the associations and with all the invited guests, for which all those present expressed their joyful gratitude.Finally, encouraged by the words of Bishop Ćurić, who in the spirit of synodality and shared responsibility emphasized the great importance of consolation and compassion in our Christian life and action also the mission of this counseling center he referred to the verse from 2 Corinthians 1:3–4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation! He comforts us in all our afflictions so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the consolation with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” Invoking God’s blessing upon the premises and the work of the Counseling Center in Vukovar, we give thanks first of all to the good God and also to one another, because we share in communion and consolation. This is a blessing that better prepares us to carry out good work, gives us wind in our sails, and reflects God’s presence that nourishes and strengthens our lives.

Sr. Ljubica Radovac, ASC
Professional Associate
BIOS Vukovar

Jeevadhan Home of Love was established on 25 September 2019 by the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ and is located at Arampilly, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Jeevadhan continues to work with a clear focus on its guiding vision, mission, and motto, offering care, protection, and support to those in need. Jeevadhan stands firm on its Vision, Mission, and Motto. Its vision is to build a just society based on justice, love, and human dignity. Its mission is to empower the marginalized and include the excluded, and its motto inspires everyone to “Give the best to the least, protect and promote life. ”Jeevadhan Home of Love was established on 25 September 2019 by the Sisters Adorers of the Blood of Christ and is located at Arampilly, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Jeevadhan continues to work with a clear focus on its guiding vision, mission, and motto, offering care, protection, and support to those in need. Jeevadhan stands firm on its Vision, Mission, and Motto. Its vision is to build a just society based on justice, love, and human dignity. Its mission is to empower the marginalized and include the excluded, and its motto inspires everyone to “Give the best to the least, protect and promote life.”Sr. Rani Padayattil is the Director of Jeevadhan Destitute Home for Women, working in collaboration with Sr. Valsa Mammootil and Sr.Jyothi Nallamothu. The team also includes one Social work counsellor Ms. Meghana Joseph and three supporting staff members. Together, the team works with dedication and compassion to ensure the well-being and dignity of every individual under their care.Jeevadhan destitute home for women in Arampilly is more than a shelter home it is a place of healing and hope for women who have been abandoned or homeless or facing mental health issues.The home focuses on a holistic approach to care ensuring every resident feels valued and supported through a variety of daily activities designed to develop both the body and mind. The journey towards wellness at Jeevadhan begins with consistent medical attention and emotional support. Monthly health checkups are a priority. Every month the doctors from Amala medical college hospital visit the residents of Jeevadhan and monitor the health conditions of the women. Along with medical support, counseling also provides for the residents to build emotional strength to overcome past trauma faced in their life and to support the emotional and mental well-being of the residents. Jeevadhan encourages mental stimulation and creativity, as a part of that, residents take part in activities such as colouring, learning basic alphabets, and craft work. Physical health and personal discipline were promoted through recreational activities including gardening, regular evening walks, and simple exercises. Also spiritual nourishment continues to be an integral part of daily life of the residents as some of them participate in the daily rosary, adoration, and the collective participation in the Holy Mass, which offer comfort, strength, and a sense of peace. Cleanliness, order, and overall care are experienced within the Home.To encourage a supportive and family-like environment, monthly meetings are held regularly. These meetings give residents a safe space to share their concerns, needs, and suggestions. Their views and feelings are always listened to and respected. Along with that, social activities for the residence are planned to encourage social connection and emotional well-being. Major festivals such as Onam and Christmas are celebrated with joy and active participation. National days like Independence Day and Republic Day are observed in a respectful manner. Important personal and spiritual occasions, including Mother Teresa’s Day, the Congregation Feast, and the birthdays of residents and Sisters, are also celebrated and bring happiness to the residents. This joy is further enhanced by generous visitors who choose to celebrate their personal milestones such as weddings, birthdays, death anniversaries, and jubilees at the Home. These celebrations help residents experience moments of happiness and provide emotional relief from long-term pain and depression. To keep every resident healthy and active Jeevadhan encourages the women to participate in daily exercises which help them to maintain physical mobility. Also social connection and creative expression are the heart of the home vibrant atmosphere. Group discussions are held regularly which encourage the women to share their thoughts with one another and to build a meaningful friendship with one another. In addition, slicing vegetable is another meaningful part of daily life at Jeevadhan. This activity serves as a form of functional therapy for the women, allowing them to contribute to the household which make them feel productive and it provides a place for casual conversation and increase bonding with other residents.At Jeevadhan every activity is a step towards a happy and meaningful life of the residents. Today, Jeevadhan is more than just a shelter it is a true home filled with love, care, and compassion. Every activity here is a step towards healing, restoring dignity, and helping each resident live a happy and meaningful life. Jeevadhan Home of Love continues to shine as a beacon of hope, where broken lives are gently healed with love.

Sr Rani Padayattil, ASC
Direttrice del Centro