On Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Adventist Church in Sciacca, Sicily, we celebrated Women's Day with a special message dedicated to three female figures who embodied courage, faith and unconditional love.
We presented three monologues telling stories of great determination and sacrifice. The first is that of Irena Sendler, a Polish Christian heroine who, during the Nazi period, saved some 2,500 children by hiding them in baskets and taking them out of the Warsaw ghetto. Hers was an act of love that defied death and bore witness to the power of compassion.
The second figure is that of Queen Esther, a woman who put her life on the line to save her people, courageously responding to the divine call at a time of extreme danger. Esther demonstrated that, even in desperate situations, faith in God can give the strength to perform extraordinary acts.
Finally, we told the story of the woman with the flow of blood, a woman who, while facing isolation and social rejection, had the faith to touch Jesus' robe and receive healing. Her story teaches us that faith, even in times of despair, can lead to redemption.
These three women are examples of how faith, courage and love can triumph even in the most difficult situations. Each of them faced circumstances that could have broken anyone, but with determination and hope they carried out the mission God had entrusted to them. They were women who were able to look beyond fear, putting the other first.
The message we wanted to convey is simple but fundamental: The world needs us. We cannot remain silent, we cannot turn our heads in the face of injustice and the suffering of others. Each of us has a mission and we cannot ignore it. We are called to act with faith and determination, with God's love as our guide.
On this March 8, we wanted to remind everyone that women's courage never stops, that faith can move mountains, and that love and compassion are the most powerful tools to change the world.
Katia Montalbano, leader of Women's Ministries at Sciacca Adventist Church.
