Prince of Asturias Awards 1981–2014. Speeches

P rince of A sturias A wards 1981-2014. S peeches 5 It is clear that our society yearns for a world without frontiers, a world where there are no barriers between the haves and the have-nots. More and more of our fellow citizens, particularly young people, feel the urge to build a new world that is more supportive of our fellow man. A world spawned of the globalization of love; a new world, a new family of peoples sharing the earth’s wealth more fairly and showing greater solidarity; a world that deep down and almost without being aware of it, needs faith and hope; a world that hungers for God. Living a life of solidarity commits you to going the extra mile in defence of the integrity of life, sometimes threatened by the self-interests of the few. Living a life of solidarity commits you to going the extra mile in the quest for sufficient resources to better the living conditions of those doomed to mere survival, those lost in the maze of marginalisation, those forced to flee their countries in makeshift boats, to the utter shame of our society. Living a life of solidarity is a challenge for us Daughters of Charity, called as we are to continue on earth the mission of Jesus Christ, apostle and redeemer of the poor, spurred on as we are by Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac, our Founders and friends of the humble and the needy. Sister Evelyne Franc, on behalf of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul — Prince of Asturias Award for Concord 2005 Sister Evelyne Franc headed the Company as Superioress General for twelve years until 2015. — Excerpt from the speech given on the occasion of receiving the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord on 21/10/2005.