A Letter from the SSMO Superior General
Dear Friends, Family, Sisters and Brothers,
“Peace be with you all.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV has given the Church a guiding theme for the annual celebration dedicated to universal peace. Observed on the threshold of the new year, January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, is an invitation that calls us to pause, to breathe deeply, and to reflect on the peace God desires for the world and for every human heart.
The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon embrace this theme as a sacred opportunity to reject the logic of violence, domination, and war in all its forms. True peace does not arise from the world – through force or fear, nor is it secured by power or control. Jesus Himself offers us true peace. His peace is rooted in our relationship with our Lord and Savior. Christ is the Truth and the Way; peace sought apart from Him cannot endure. Only in Him do we find the fulfillment of our deepest longings and the healing of what is broken within us.
As January unfolds, the Church also celebrates the Solemnity of the Epiphany, observed this year on Sunday, Jan. 4. This feast draws our attention to the Magi, the wise men from the East, who journeyed in faith to adore the Christ Child in Bethlehem. Guided by a star, they crossed borders of geography, culture, and belief, seeking not power or prestige, but truth. Their encounter with Jesus reveals a profound peace. In their quest, they found the quiet assurance of what truly matters. Having met the Prince of Peace, they returned home “by another way,” transformed by grace.
The peace of the Magi was not passive. It required courage, attentiveness, and trust. In their example, we see that peace is often born of movement. Through trust and prayer, we too can learn to let go of our wants and follow God’s light even when the path is uncertain.
In this new year, with the gentle guidance of Mary, the Mother of God, let us not lose sight of where we are going – toward Jesus, toward God. Though the vulnerability of human life can distract us, we are called to fix our eyes on the Lord. With patience under trial and true grace, may we move forward in hope, trusting in the truth and light of Christ.
“Peace be with you all.”
Sister Michael Francine Duncan
Sr. Michael Francine Duncan
SSMO
Superior General
SSMO Leadership Team:
SSMO Superior General
SSMO Vicar General
SSMO General Councilor
SSMO General Councilor
These four Sisters were installed at a special Mass on Sunday, June 29 at 9 a.m. at the Sisters’ Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel inside the SSMO Motherhouse. Visit ssmo.org/ssmo-announces-new-leadership-team/ to learn more about the Sisters’ elections and General Chapter Meetings.
