In the throbbing heart of the Church, the congregation of the daughters of Christ the King shines with its own light, a lighthouse of faith and service that for 150 years has illuminated the path of those who seek God. Founded by the venerable José Gras y Granollers, this congregation has risen as a living testimony of a radical delivery to the Lord, manifesting in each action the charism that was legacy: proclaiming the reign of Christ in all human realities.
The charism of the daughters of Christ King translates into a life consecrated to teaching, evangelization and service to the most needy. Following the example of its founder, who knew how to see in the royalty of Christ an inexhaustible source of love and justice, these religious have made each classroom, each dispensary and each work of charity a throne for Jesus Christ. His charisma is a burning torch that illuminates, not only with words, but with concrete gestures of love and delivery.
After a century and a half of faithfulness, the daughters of Christ the King continue to respond to the call of its founder with creativity and courage. Its history is not only a chronicle of works, but a constant testimony that Christ's love is capable of transforming hearts and renewing the world. Celebrating its 150 years is to recognize a trajectory of faith lived with coherence, a mission that has been able to adapt to the challenges of each era without losing its essence.
Today, when this ephemeris was fulfilled, we look gratitude and hopefully his future. That the daughters of Christ King remain a sign of the royalty of Christ in the world, always remembering the words of its founder: "That Christ reigns in our hearts and in the heart of the world."
With the heart full of joy and gratitude, we met today to begin a truly extraordinary celebration: the sesquicentennial - the 150 years - of the foundation of the Religious Daughters Institute of Christ King.
It summons us an anniversary that is not only a number, but a living story. A history woven with the faith, delivery and love of many generations that have carried out the dream of a man who knew how to look beyond his time: the venerable José Gras and Granollers. It was he who, with a prophetic look and heart
On, he founded in 1876 the congregation of the daughters of Christ the King. He did it with a certainty that guided his entire life: "Christ must reign in hearts, in the
families and in society. " These words were not for him a simple spiritual slogan. They were an urgent call. They were his way of responding to a world
in need of light, really and hope. And that desire that Christ Reine was taking concrete form in a mission: education, evangelization, service, the accompaniment of the little ones, of young people and families.
During these 150 years, that seed sowed José Gras has germinated in multiple corners of the world. From silent classrooms to happy courtyards, from religious communities to simple homes, the presence of the daughters of Christ the King has been and remains a palpable expression of God's love.
Today is time to make grateful memory. Of recognizing the immense legacy of those who preceded us, of those who gave their lives - many times in anonymity - so that this charisma reaches us. It is also time to celebrate the present, with their challenges, their searches and their achievements. And, on
Everything is time to look to the future with hope, asking us: how to continue making Christ reign in our time? How to be, today, faithful witnesses of the ideal of José Gras?
Throughout this jubilee year, we will live moments of meeting, reflection, celebration and commitment. Each activity, each gesture, each sentence will be a way of saying: Thank you, Lord, therefore well received. And also: yes, sir, here we are, willing to continue walking with you.
We want to deeply thank all those who accompany us today: authorities, educators, religious, alumni, students, families, non -teaching staff, friends of the community. All, somehow, are part of this story. Because this institute is not built only with walls and documents, but
With links, with shared dreams, with faith lived day by day.
D. Alberto Espina
